U.S. patent application number 12/741800 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-30 for illumination device and image display device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takashi Kaneko, Takatomo Matsumi, Fujio Takahashi, Yasutaka Wakabayashi.
Application Number | 20100246197 12/741800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40625671 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100246197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takahashi; Fujio ; et
al. |
September 30, 2010 |
ILLUMINATION DEVICE AND IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
The present invention provides an illumination device for
illuminating a periphery of equipment such as an image display
device, including: a plurality of illumination parts on which a
light source is mounted; and a support part for supporting the
plurality of illumination parts, so that a different area of the
periphery of the equipment is irradiated with light from the
plurality of illumination parts.
Inventors: |
Takahashi; Fujio;
(Osaka-shi, JP) ; Kaneko; Takashi; (Osaka-shi,
JP) ; Wakabayashi; Yasutaka; (Osaka-shi, JP) ;
Matsumi; Takatomo; (Osaka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Osaka-shi, Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
40625671 |
Appl. No.: |
12/741800 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
October 30, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/069750 |
371 Date: |
May 6, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/430 ;
362/382; 362/418 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21V 33/0052 20130101;
H04N 9/315 20130101; G06F 1/1607 20130101; F21S 6/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/430 ;
362/382; 362/418 |
International
Class: |
F21S 8/08 20060101
F21S008/08; F21V 19/00 20060101 F21V019/00; F21V 19/02 20060101
F21V019/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 7, 2007 |
JP |
2007-289833 |
Apr 1, 2008 |
JP |
2008-095409 |
Apr 17, 2008 |
JP |
2008-108109 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. An illumination device for illuminating a periphery of
equipment such as an image display device, comprising: a plurality
of illumination parts on which a light source is mounted; and a
support part for supporting the plurality of illumination parts, so
that a different area of the periphery of the equipment is
irradiated with light of the plurality of illumination parts.
11. An illumination device for illuminating periphery of equipment
such as an image display device, comprising: a plurality of
illumination parts on which a light source is mounted; and a
support part for supporting the plurality of illumination parts, so
that the periphery of the equipment is irradiated with light of the
plurality of illumination parts from different directions
respectively.
12. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the
illumination parts are connected to the support part via a turning
member, so as to be turned with respect to the support part.
13. The illumination device according to claim 11, wherein the
illumination parts are connected to the support part via a turning
member, so as to be turned with respect to the support part.
14. The illumination device according to claim 12, wherein the
turning member includes a locking mechanism for locking the
illumination parts at a desired angle with respect to the support
part.
15. The illumination device according to claim 13, wherein the
turning member includes a locking mechanism for locking the
illumination parts at a desired angle with respect to the support
part.
16. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein a
triangular shape is formed by the plurality of illumination parts
and the support part.
17. The illumination device according to claim 11, wherein a
triangular shape is formed by the plurality of illumination parts
and the support part.
18. The illumination device according to claim 14, wherein a
triangular shape is formed by the plurality of illumination parts
and the support part.
19. The illumination device according to claim 15, wherein a
triangular shape is formed by the plurality of illumination parts
and the support part.
20. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the
support part has leg portions on which the illumination device is
installed.
21. The illumination device according to claim 11, wherein the
support part has leg portions on which the illumination device is
installed.
22. The illumination device according to claim 18, wherein the
support part has leg portions on which the illumination device is
installed.
23. The illumination device according to claim 19, wherein the
support part has leg portions on which the illumination device is
installed.
24. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the leg
portions can be detached from the support part.
25. The illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the
support part has an attachment part for attachment to the
equipment.
26. An image display device, comprising: an illumination device
according to claim 10; and an image display device used together
with the illumination device.
Description
[0001] This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2008/069750
which has an International filing date of Oct. 30, 2008 and
designated the United States of America.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an illumination device for
illuminating, for example, a periphery of equipment of an image
display device, and an image display device provided with such an
illumination device.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In recent years, owing to high performance of an image
display device such as a liquid crystal display device and EL
(Electroluminescence) display device, and development of a
broadcast distribution technique due to progress of a digital
broadcast technique, an environment in which a high quality picture
can be viewed has been prepared.
[0006] Further, as one of methods of viewing a picture such as a
movie with high realistic sensation, there is a method of viewing
the picture, in lower brightness (illuminance) of the illumination
of a room in which the image display device is installed. When the
picture is viewed in the low illuminance of the illumination of
such a room, it is known that the picture can be viewed with high
realistic sensation by illuminating the periphery of a screen of
the image display device, and therefore an illumination device for
illuminating the periphery of the screen of the image display
device has been developed (for example, refer to Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 2006-19095).
[0007] However, when the picture is viewed in the low illumination
of the room, there is a problem that the picture in the screen is
turned into glare in a dark room for a user (viewer), and viewing
for a long time is a burden to an eye of the user. There is a
possibility that a health of the user is devastated, such as
causing abnormal brain wave to occur, for particularly a
photosensitive user. Accordingly, the illumination device for
illuminating the periphery of the screen has effects of not only
increasing the high realistic sensation but also gradually reducing
a difference of luminance between the screen and the periphery of
the screen, thereby alleviating glare, and reducing the burden of
the eye of the user.
[0008] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-19095
discloses an illumination device 301 placed at the backside of an
image display device 300 installed in a living room space L, for
illuminating a back wall W of the image display device 300, as
shown in FIG. 54. The illumination device 301 is placed in a
low-board 305 with a seat 304 interposed therebetween. The seat 304
is attached to a reflection plate 302, with a light source 303
housed in the reflection plate 302 having a substantially U-shape
in a cross-section. The illumination device 301 is adjusted such
that the back wall W at the backside of the image display device
300 is illuminated obliquely upward from below.
SUMMARY
[0009] However, the illumination device 301 disclosed in Patent
Document 1 illuminates the back wall W only in one direction
obliquely upward from below. Therefore, there is a problem that the
periphery of the screen of the image display device 300 cannot be
sufficiently illuminated, and an effect of indirect illumination
(high realistic sensation and/or alleviation of glare) cannot be
sufficiently obtained. Particularly, there is a problem that
illuminance in a lateral direction of the screen is
insufficient.
[0010] Further, in recent years, a larger screen of the image
display device has been progressed, and therefore when the
illumination device is applied to the display device of the large
screen, quantity of light emitted to a wall surface in an upper
part of the screen is insufficient only by illuminating the back
wall from below, thus making it impossible to sufficiently obtain
the effect of the indirect illumination.
[0011] Therefore, the present invention is made in view of the
above-described problems and the present invention relates to the
illumination device for illuminating the periphery of equipment
such as an image display device, and an object of the present
invention is to secure sufficient illuminance in the periphery of
the equipment.
[0012] Further, when the periphery of the image display device is
illuminated, the present invention makes it possible to secure
sufficient illuminance in the periphery of the screen and give
higher realistic sensation to a user.
[0013] The present invention provides an illumination device for
illuminating a periphery of equipment such as an image display
device, including: a plurality of illumination parts on which a
light source is mounted; and a support part for supporting the
plurality of illumination parts, so that a different area of the
periphery of the equipment is irradiated with light of the
plurality of illumination parts.
[0014] With this structure, sufficient illuminance can be secured
in the periphery of the equipment. Further, when the periphery of
the image display device is illuminated, sufficient illuminance can
be secured in the periphery of a screen and higher realistic
sensation can be given to a user.
[0015] The present invention provides an illumination device for
illuminating the periphery of equipment such as an image display
device, including: a plurality of illumination parts on which a
light source is mounted; and a support part for supporting the
plurality of illumination parts, so that the periphery of the
equipment is irradiated with light of the plurality of illumination
parts from different directions respectively.
[0016] With this structure, sufficient illuminance can be secured
in the periphery of the equipment. Further, when the periphery of
the image display device is illuminated, sufficient illuminance can
be secured in the periphery of the screen, and higher realistic
sensation can be given to the user.
[0017] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein the illumination parts are connected to the support
part via a turning member, so as to be turned with respect to the
support part.
[0018] With this structure, the user can suitably adjust a range of
illumination, according to a size of the image display device or a
surrounding environment of the illumination device.
[0019] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein the turning member includes a locking mechanism for
locking the illumination parts at a desired angle with respect to
the support part.
[0020] With this structure, the user can continuously illuminate an
illumination range adjusted by the user.
[0021] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein a triangular shape is formed by the plurality of
illumination parts and the support part.
[0022] With this structure, a different area of a wall surface at
the backside of the equipment such as an image display device is
irradiated with light from different directions. Therefore, the
wall surface can be efficiently and sufficiently illuminated.
[0023] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein the support part has leg portions on which the
illumination device is installed.
[0024] With this structure, the illumination device can be stably
held.
[0025] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein the leg portions can be detached from the support
part.
[0026] With this structure, by removing the leg portions when an
illumination device body is directly attached to the equipment such
as an image display device, the illumination device is housed
within the equipment such as an image display device, and can be
out of sight of the user.
[0027] Further, the present invention provides the illumination
device, wherein the support part has an attachment part for
attachment to the equipment.
[0028] With this structure, the illumination device body can be
directly attached to the equipment such as an image display
device.
[0029] The present invention provides an image display device,
including: any one of the aforementioned illumination devices; and
an image display device used together with the illumination
device.
[0030] With this structure, sufficient illuminance can be secured
in the periphery of the screen of the image display device, and
higher realistic sensation can be given to the user.
[0031] According to the present invention, an illumination device
is provided for illuminating the periphery of equipment, to thereby
secure sufficient illuminance in the periphery of the
equipment.
[0032] Further, when the present invention is used as the
illumination device for illuminating the periphery of an image
display device, sufficient illuminance can be secured in the
periphery of a screen, and higher realistic sensation can be given
to a user. The above and further objects and features of the
invention will more fully be apparent from the following detailed
description with accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an illumination device
according to first embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination
device according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of an illumination
part of the illumination device according to the first embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view
of the illumination part of the illumination device according to
the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a
schematic sectional view of the illumination part of the
illumination device according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the illumination device
including a power supply circuit control part according to first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a control flow diagram of the illumination device
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 6A is a view showing a state in which the illumination
device according to the first embodiment of the present invention
is installed between the image display device and a wall surface at
the backside of the image display device. FIG. 6B is a view showing
a luminance distribution when the periphery of the image display
device is illuminated by the illumination device according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an aspect of attaching an
illumination body part according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, to the image display device, viewed from a rear
surface of the image display device.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the image display device
according to the aspect of attaching the illumination body part of
the first embodiment of the present invention, to the image display
device.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a view of the aspect of attaching the illumination
body part according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, to the image display device, viewed from a horizontal
direction of the image display device.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the illumination body
part of the illumination device according to a second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination
body part of the illumination device according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of illumination
parts according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of the
illumination parts according to the second embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 12C is a schematic sectional view of the
illumination parts according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of an illumination body
part of an illumination device according to a third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the illumination
body part of the illumination device according to the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 15 is a schematic enlarged view of a turning mechanism
of the illumination device according to the third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of state in which
each illumination part of the illumination device according to the
third embodiment of the present invention is folded with respect to
a support part.
[0049] FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of an illumination device
according to a fourth embodiment 4 of the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 18 is a schematic front view of an illumination device
according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 19 is a schematic front view of an illumination device
according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] FIG. 20 is an outer appearance perspective view of an
illumination device according to a seventh embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 21 is an outer appearance front view of the
illumination device according to the seventh embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an example of a
structure of a light source part.
[0055] FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an installation
example of the illumination device according to the seventh
embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing an example of the
structure of a light receiving part.
[0057] FIG. 25 is an explanatory view showing an arrangement
example of the light receiving part.
[0058] FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an example of an
installing position of the light receiving part.
[0059] FIG. 27 an explanatory view showing an example of other
configuration example of the light receiving part.
[0060] FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the structure of the
illumination device according to the seventh embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 29 is an explanation showing a display example of a
warning.
[0062] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the
illumination device according to the seventh embodiment.
[0063] FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing an example of
indirect illumination by the illumination device according to the
seventh embodiment.
[0064] FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing a structure of an
illumination device according to an eighth embodiment.
[0065] FIG. 33 is an outer appearance view of a remote
controller.
[0066] FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing a determination
example of a range of an acquired image.
[0067] FIG. 35 is an explanatory view showing a processing
procedure of the illumination device according to the eighth
embodiment.
[0068] FIG. 36 is an explanatory view showing the processing
procedure of the illumination device according to the eighth
embodiment.
[0069] FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing an example of a
coordinate system of a periphery of the image display device.
[0070] FIG. 38 is a schematic view showing an example of an
experiment environment for measuring an illumination environment of
the periphery of the image display device.
[0071] FIG. 39 is an explanatory view showing an example of the
illumination environment.
[0072] FIG. 40 is an explanatory view showing a luminance
distribution of a wall surface at a backside of the image display
device.
[0073] FIG. 41 is an explanatory view showing the luminance
distribution of the wall surface at the backside of the image
display device.
[0074] FIG. 42 is an explanatory view showing the luminance
distribution of the wall surface at the backside of the image
display device.
[0075] FIG. 43 is an explanatory view showing the luminance
distribution of the wall surface at the backside of the image
display device.
[0076] FIG. 44 is an explanatory view showing a calculation result
of a characteristic amount.
[0077] FIG. 45 is an outer appearance perspective view of an
illumination unit configuring an illumination device according to a
ninth embodiment.
[0078] FIG. 46 is a front view showing an example of an attachment
structure of the illumination unit.
[0079] FIG. 47 is a perspective view showing an example of the
attachment structure of the illumination unit.
[0080] FIG. 48 is a side view showing an example of the attachment
structure of the illumination unit.
[0081] FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of the illumination unit.
[0082] FIG. 50 is a plan view showing an example of an adjustment
member for adjusting an attachment interval of the illumination
units.
[0083] FIG. 51 is a schematic view showing an arrangement example
of a light source of the illumination unit.
[0084] FIG. 52 is a side view showing other example of the
attachment structure of the illumination unit.
[0085] FIG. 53 is a front view showing a structure of a device side
wall-hooking member including the illumination unit.
[0086] FIG. 54 shows a conventional illumination device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0087] Embodiments of the illumination device according to the
present invention will be described below with reference to the
drawings.
[0088] Note that as an embodiment of the illumination device of the
present invention, the illumination device for illuminating the
periphery of an image display device, being a liquid crystal
display device, is shown for explanation.
First Embodiment
[0089] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an illumination device 1
according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is
a schematic perspective view of the illumination device 1 according
to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0090] The illumination device 1 has a first illumination part 2
and a second illumination part 3 having a light emitting diode
(described as an LED hereinafter) as a light source; and a support
part 4 for supporting the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3, being a plurality of illumination parts. The
support part 4 is formed into a quadrangular prism made of
aluminum, and the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3 are formed into a shape with a part of the
quadrangular prism of aluminum removed for disposing the LED.
Structures of the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3 will be described in detail later.
[0091] A first turning part 5 and a second turning part 6 are
provided to both ends of the support part 4, for turning the first
illumination part 2 and the second illumination part 3,
respectively, so that the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3 can be freely turned in a direction with
respect to the support part 4 (direction shown by arrow in FIG. 1),
with the turning part as a center. Further, the first turning part
5 and/or the second turning part 6 preferably have a friction of a
predetermined magnitude (magnitude determined depending on material
and length of the illumination part), with respect to the first
illumination part 2 and/or the second illumination part 3, so that
a user can arbitrarily set an angle formed by the first
illumination part 2 and/or the second illumination part 3, and the
support part 4, to stably hold the first illumination part 2 and/or
the second illumination part 3. Alternatively, the first turning
part 5 and/or the second turning part 6 may have a holding
mechanism (not shown) separately for stably fixing the first
illumination part 2 and/or the second illumination part 3 at an
arbitrary angle.
[0092] Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a first lock part 7 and a
second lock part 8 are respectively provided to end portions
opposite to the side connected to the turning parts of the first
illumination part 2 and the second illumination part 3, so that the
first illumination part 2, the second illumination part 3, and the
support part 4 can be fixed in a state of forming a triangular
shape. The first lock part 7 and the second lock part 8 have a pair
of engaging structures (not shown) having a concave portion and a
convex portion on the opposed surfaces, and through engagement of
the concave portion and the convex portion, the first illumination
part 2, the second illumination part 3, and the support part 4 are
fixed in the state of forming the triangular shape. A locking
structure is not limited to the engagement structure having the
concave portion and the convex potion, and may be a structure of a
lock by a magnetic body.
[0093] Further, a power supply control circuit part 9 is provided
in the vicinity of the center of the support part 4, for converting
alternating-current (AC) voltage from a commercial power supply to
direct-current (DC) voltage and supplying the converted voltage to
the LED, being a light source provided to the first illumination
part 2 and the second illumination part 3, and performing control
of luminance and the like of the LED. The power supply control
circuit part 9 is housed in a power supply control circuit box 10,
so as to be protected from a shock and dust from outside.
[0094] As described above, an illumination body part 11 of the
illumination device 1 is configured by the aforementioned
components.
[0095] Next, a description will be given of two leg portions (first
leg portion 12 and second leg portion 13) attached to symmetrical
positions, with longitudinal center of the support part 4 as a
center, for installing the illumination device 1 to a floor and the
like. The first leg portion 12 and the second leg portion 13 are
formed of a holding part 14 having a U-shape turned sideways in
cross-section, with the quadrangular prism-shaped support body
fitted thereto; a quadrangular prism-shaped leg body part 15
attached to the holding part 14 in such a manner as extending in a
floor direction at a predetermined angle (.angle.A) with respect to
the support part 4; and a stabilization part 16 provided to an end
portion of the leg body part 15, having a suitable weight for
stably supporting the illumination device 1. Further, a cover part
(not shown) may also be provided, for further covering the holding
part 14 with the support part 4 fitted thereto. By the cover part,
the support part 4 and the leg portions 12, 13 can be firmly held,
and engagement of the support part 4 and the holding part 14 is out
of sight from outside, which is preferable in terms of outer
appearance.
[0096] Note that the angle (.angle.A) with respect to the support
part 4 is set to approximately 120 degrees for stably holding the
illumination body part 11. However, a mechanism of arbitrarily set
the angle by a user may be provided. This is because the
illumination device 1 can be applied to the image display device of
various sizes or other equipment. Further, regarding a suitable
weight of the stabilization part 16 for stably holding the
illumination body part 11, the weight is different depending on the
size and weight of the illumination body part 11, and therefore the
weight of the stabilization part 16 is preferably adjusted
suitably. Particularly, as is defined by JIS standard and the like
for safety, the illumination device preferably has such a weight
that it will not fall down, even in a case of being installed on a
face at a certain angle (for example, 15 degrees) with respect to a
horizontal surface.
[0097] Next, a description will be given of the first illumination
part 2 and the second illumination part 3, and the LED, being the
light source provided to the plurality of illumination parts. Note
that the first illumination part 2 and the second illumination part
3 have same structures, and therefore the first illumination part
and the second illumination part are described as an illumination
part 20 and explained as representatives of the illumination
parts.
[0098] FIG. 3 shows the illumination part 20 of the illumination
device 1 according to first embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a
schematic perspective view of the illumination part 20, FIG. 3B is
an enlarged schematic perspective view of the illumination part 20,
and FIG. 3C is a schematic sectional view of the illumination part
20.
[0099] The illumination part 20 is made of aluminum and has a
shape, with a part of which is removed, so that an inclined surface
21 is formed by the inside of the quadrangular prism. For example,
a lightweight metal having excellent heat radiation such as
aluminum is suitable for efficiently radiating heat from LED 22.
Further, an LED substrate 23 is provided to the inclined surface
21, on which a plurality of LEDs 22 are mounted in a row.
[0100] The LED substrate 23 is, for example, a glass epoxy
substrate, including a plurality of LEDs 22, a connector (not
shown) for connecting the LED substrate 23 and the power supply
control circuit part 9 or other LED substrate, a limit resistance
(not shown) for flowing a constant amount of current through the
LEDs 22, and a wiring pattern of a copper foil (not shown).
Further, a place not provided with electronic components such as
LED on the surface of the LED substrate 23 is preferably painted in
white color. This is because the light from the LEDs 22 can be
reflected without being absorbed into the LED substrate 23.
[0101] Further, as shown in FIG. 3, it is not only a case that one
LED substrate 23 is provided to one illumination part 20, but there
is also a case that two LED substrates are provided side by side,
with approximately half of the longitudinal length of the
illumination part 20 set as a longer side. By using a plurality of
LED substrates, when a failure occurs to some of the LED
substrates, only the substrates having a defect LED may be
exchanged, and therefore a cost required for exchanging the LED can
be reduced.
[0102] Further, the number of LEDs can be reduced, by further
shortening two LED substrates and disposing the LED substrates,
with a specified space provided between the LED substrates, thus
making it possible to reduce the cost of the illumination device.
In the illumination device 1 with the illumination body part 11
formed into a triangular shape, an irradiation area corresponding
to the space between the LED substrates corresponding to the
vicinity of the center of the illumination part 20, is a corner
part of the end of an upper side of the screen of the image display
device. Therefore, even if there is no LED 22 in the vicinity of
the center of the illumination part 20, the illuminance of the area
corresponding to the upper side and right and left of the screen is
not influenced thereby so much, and the illuminance for giving the
effect of indirect illumination to the user can be sufficiently
secured.
[0103] Further, it is preferable that the inclined surface 21 has
an angle (.angle.B) of about 30 degrees with respect to a bottom 24
of inside of the illumination part 20. If .angle.B is small, (close
to 0 degree), an area in a direction parallel to the wall surface
(direction vertical to the bottom 24 of the illumination part 20)
is illuminated, and therefore the illuminance of the illuminated
wall surface is reduced. Meanwhile, if the angle is larger (close
to 90 degrees), only the wall surface at immediately backside of
the illumination part 20 is illuminated, thus reducing the
illuminance in the periphery of the screen. Accordingly, in order
to efficiently irradiate the wall surface at the backside of the
image display device with the light from the LEDs 22, a suitable
angle is needed. In addition, the height of the side face 25 of the
illumination part 20 is preferably designed to be the height so as
not to block the light from the LEDs 22 by the side face 25.
[0104] Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, an opening part 26 of the
illumination part 20 is covered with a transparent cover part 27 to
thereby protect the LED substrate 23, wiring (wiring among a
plurality of LED substrates 23 or wiring between the LED substrate
23 and the power supply control circuit part 9), and the like.
Acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, plastic, or the like, is used
in the cover part 27, and the cover part 27 may have
dispersability. Even if a strong directional light source as an LED
is used, the periphery of the screen can be softly illuminated.
[0105] Next, the LED 22 used as the light source will be described
in detail.
[0106] The LED 22 is a surface mount package LED in which LED
elements of three colors are packaged, such as red color (R) LED
element, blue color (B) LED element, green color (G) LED element.
Intensity of each LED element of RGB can be controlled, and by
adjusting the intensity (luminance) of the LED element of each
color, irradiation of multiple colors is achieved by LED.
Therefore, the periphery of the image display device can be
irradiated by a favorite color of the user.
[0107] Particularly, by illuminating the periphery of the image
display device by controlling chromaticity of the LED 22 so as to
have similar color to the color of the picture displayed in the
image display device (particularly the picture in an area of a
screen outer peripheral part), the picture having an expansion of
not less than the size of the screen can be provided to the user,
and further higher realistic sensation can be given to the
user.
[0108] Further, the light source is not limited to the LED 22, and
other light source such as a fluorescent lamp and a cold-cathode
tube may be used. However, the LED has a high directivity of light,
and therefore the wall surface of the periphery of the image
display device can be efficiently irradiated with light, thus
facilitating the control of an irradiating direction of the light.
In addition, in a case of using the light source with no high
directivity like a fluorescent lamp and emitting light in all
directions, a reflection member is preferably provided for
reflecting the light emitted to inside of the illumination part
20.
[0109] Next, a detailed description will be given of the structure
regarding control of the illumination device 1 including the power
supply circuit control part 9 and of the control of the
illumination device 1.
[0110] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the illumination device
1 including the power supply circuit control part 9 according to
the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a control
flow diagram of the illumination device 1 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0111] In the first embodiment, the user selects color desired to
be used for illuminating the periphery of the image display device
by remote controller 30, while viewing the picture of the image
display device, to thereby decide chromaticity and luminance of the
LED 22 of the illumination part 20, and illuminate the periphery of
the image display device. The user can select previously set color
(preset color), and also can adjust the intensity of each LED
element of RGB configuring the LED 22 and prepare the favorite
color.
[0112] First, the structure regarding the control of the
illumination device 1 including the power supply circuit control
part 9 will be described. The power supply control circuit 9 is
configured by a power supply circuit part 36 and a microcomputer 33
(control device). Further, the power supply circuit 36 has an AC-DC
converter circuit (rectifier circuit) 38 for converting the AC
voltage supplied from an AC power source 37, being a commercial
power source, for driving the LED 22, to the DC voltage; and a
constant current circuit 37 for supplying a constant current to
each LED element of the individual RGB configuring the LED 22.
Further, the microcomputer 33 includes a memory 35 for storing the
duty ratio of each LED element of RGB corresponding to the
previously set color (preset color); and a control part 34 for
transmitting a control signal controlling the constant current
circuit 37 of each color at the duty ratio of the color selected by
the user or the duty ratio of the color adjusted by the user.
[0113] Therefore, by the remote controller 30 for transmitting
color information selected by the user, a receiving unit 31 for
receiving the transmitted color information and transferring it to
the microcomputer 33, and the aforementioned power supply control
circuit part 9, each LED element of RGB configuring the LED 22, are
driven at the duty ratio corresponding to the color desired by the
user. Therefore, the illumination part 20 can be illuminated with a
color desired by the user.
[0114] Further, the aforementioned structure shows a case that the
first illumination part 2 and the second illumination part 3 are
illuminated by the same color. However, by providing the constant
current circuit 37 to the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3 respectively, and providing control signals to
the first illumination part 2 and the second illumination part 3 as
different systems, the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3 can be illuminated by different colors.
[0115] Further, by individually controlling the plurality of LEDs
22 provided to the first illumination part 2 and the second
illumination part 3, illumination corresponding to an individual
area of the image displayed in the screen is achieved.
[0116] Next, a control flow will be described in detail.
[0117] First, the user selects (S1) a desired color by using the
remote controller 30, and the remote controller 30 transmits color
information (S2). Next, the receiving unit 31 of the illumination
device 1 receives a signal of the color information from the remote
controller 30, and transfers the signal to the microcomputer 33
(S3). The control part 34 of the microcomputer 33 reads the duty
ratio for driving each LED element of RGB stored corresponding to
the color selected from the memory 35 in the microcomputer 33 in
association with the signal regarding the transferred color (S4).
The control part 34 drives each constant current circuit 37 for
supplying constant current to each LED element of RGB, at the read
duty ratio (S5). The light from each LED element from the
illumination part 20 are mixed and radiated, to illuminate the
periphery of the image display device by the color selected by the
user (S8). Further, in a state of step S5, when the user selects
other color by using the remote controller 30, processing returns
to S1 again to repeat the flow from S1 to S5, and the periphery of
the image display device is illuminated by other color selected by
the user (S8).
[0118] Further, the user can adjust the intensity of each LED
element of RGB individually from the remote controller 30, and also
can illuminate the periphery of the image display device with other
color, which is not set yet, in addition to the color previously
set. In a state of step S5, when the user adjusts the color,
strength/weakness of the intensity of each LED element of RGB is
adjusted by using the remote controller 30, and the
strength/weakness of the luminance is transmitted for every RGB by
using the remote controller 30 (S6), then the duty ratio is
adjusted (fluctuated) corresponding to the strength/weakness of
each LED element of RGB transmitted from the remote controller
(S7), and each LED element of RGB is driven at the adjusted duty
ratio (S5), and the periphery of the image display device is
illuminated by the color desired by the user (S8).
[0119] Further, the receiving unit 31 for receiving the signal from
the remote controller 30 may be provided somewhere of the
illumination device 1. However, the signal from the remote
controller 30 needs to be received even if the illumination device
1 is installed at the backside of the equipment such as the image
display device. Therefore, the receiving unit 31 is preferably
provided at a place visible from the user, such as the
stabilization part 16 of the leg portions 12, 13.
[0120] Further, the receiving part of the signal such as a channel
provided to the image display device is used in common, and the
signal for controlling the illumination of the illumination device
1 may be indirectly received through the image display device.
[0121] Further, although not shown, a groove is formed in the
turning parts 5, 6, and the support part 4, and the wiring for
connecting the LED substrate 23 and the power supply control
circuit part 9 is preferably arranged along the groove. This is
because the wiring is not visible from the front surface of the
illumination body part 11, thus not impairing designability of an
outer appearance.
[0122] FIG. 6A is a view showing a state in which the illumination
device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention
is installed between the image display device and the wall surface
at the backside of the image display device. FIG. 6B is a view
showing illuminance distribution, when the wall surface at the
backside of the image display device is illuminated by the
illumination device 1 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0123] When the illumination device 1 is installed between the
image display device and the wall surface at the backside of the
image display device, as shown in FIG. 6B, the illuminance is
gradually lowered as the wall surface recedes from the screen, by
the illumination to the wall surface by the illumination device 1.
Therefore the glare of the screen can be reduced. Further, higher
realistic sensation can be given to the user. Moreover, the
illumination device 1 can be freely carried and can be used
independently for the purpose of use of indirect illumination by
illuminating the periphery of the equipment, when applied to other
various equipment.
[0124] Further, owing to the structure in which the support part 4
is fitted into the holding part 14, the leg portions 12, 13 can
slide along the support part 4 and also be detached therefrom. The
illumination body part can be directly attached to the image
display device, by detaching the leg portions 12, 13 from the
support part 4.
[0125] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an aspect of attaching the
illumination body part according to the first embodiment, to the
image display device, viewed from the rear surface of the image
display device. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the aspect of
attaching the illumination body part according to the first
embodiment, to the image display device. FIG. 9 is a view of the
aspect of attaching the illumination body part according to the
first embodiment, to the image display device, viewed from the
lateral direction of the image display device.
[0126] Thinner image display device has been progressed, and a
plurality of (two) wall hooking holes (not shown) for attaching the
image display device to a wall, are provided on the rear surface of
the image display device. Setting interval of the wall hooking
holes are defined by, for example, the standard of the image
display device. Further, in the illumination body part 11 of the
illumination device 1, a plurality of attachment holes 28 are
formed in the first illumination part 2 and the second illumination
part 3.
[0127] In FIGS. 7 to 9, a first attachment support part 29 having
U-shape turned sideways in cross-section is attached to the wall
hooking hole of a rear surface the image display device by
screwing, and a second attachment support part 49 is attached to an
inner side face 48 of the first attachment support part 29 by
screwing. Further, the illumination body part 11 is attached to the
image display device by attaching the first illumination part 2 and
the second illumination part 3 of the illumination body part 11, to
both ends of the second attachment support part 49.
[0128] Thus, by directly attaching the illumination body part 11 to
the image display device, the illumination body part 11 is housed
within a screen size of the image display device, and the
illumination body part 11 is out of sight of the user, thus making
it possible to avoid bringing discomfort to the user due to
existence of the illumination device.
[0129] As described above, in the illumination device 1 according
to the first embodiment, the shape formed by the first illumination
part 2, the second illumination part 3, and the support part 4 is
the triangular shape, and different areas of the wall surface at
the backside of the image display device are irradiated with light
from different directions by the first illumination part 2 and the
second illumination part 3, thus making it possible to efficiently
and sufficiently irradiate the wall surface. Particularly, when the
periphery of the image display device of a large screen is
illuminated, the effect by indirect illumination is remarkable, by
irradiating the different areas of the wall surface from different
directions, by a plurality of illumination parts.
[0130] Note that the shape formed by the first illumination part 2,
the second illumination part 3, and the support part 4, is not
limited to the triangular shape and may be other shape, because the
different areas of the wall surface may be irradiated with light
from different directions, to efficiently irradiate the wall
surface at the backside of the image display device. Regarding
other shape, it will be described later as other embodiment.
[0131] Further, the illumination device 1 is used indoors,
particularly in a living room, and therefore includes an element of
an interior accessory. Thus, designability is important in this
case. Accordingly, preferably, at least the parts visible from
outside (support part 4, casing of the illumination part 2, turning
parts 5, 6, leg portions 12, 13, power supply circuit box 10, and
wiring) out of the parts configuring the illumination device 1 are
entirely uniformed to the same color such as black. Owing to the
unity of the color, the interior property of the room, in which the
illumination device 1 is installed, is not impaired.
Second Embodiment
[0132] Next, an illumination device 41 according to a second
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. Characteristic parts of the second
embodiment will be described below, wherein the same reference
numerals are assigned to the parts in common with those of the
first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
[0133] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of an illumination body
part 42 of the illumination device 41 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic
perspective view of the illumination body part 42 of the
illumination device 41 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0134] The illumination device 41 according to the second
embodiment includes a turning mechanism capable of turning in
multiple directions (two directions), unlike the first embodiment
wherein a first illumination part 43 and a second illumination part
44 can be turned only one direction with respect to the support
part, with the first turning part and the second turning part as
centers respectively.
[0135] The turning mechanism of turning the illumination part in
multiple directions (two directions) will be described.
[0136] The turning mechanism includes a turning part (first turning
part 46 and second turning part 47) for turning an illumination
part 45 (first illumination part 43 and second illumination part
44) in a direction of being folded with respect to the support part
4, and a first turning shaft (not shown) communicated with the
turning part and the illumination part 45 for turning the
illumination part. By turning the illumination part 45, with the
first turning shaft as a center, an irradiation range in the
periphery of the illumination device that performs illumination can
be varied. Therefore, for example, the user can arbitrarily set the
irradiation range, for example, according to the size of the image
display device, thus making it possible to apply the turning
mechanism to the image display device of various sizes. In
addition, the user can arbitrarily set the irradiation range
according to an environment in which the irradiation device 41 is
installed.
[0137] Next, the illumination part 45 will be described.
[0138] FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of the illumination
part 45 according to the second embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 12B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of
the illumination part 45 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention, and FIG. 12C is a schematic sectional view of
the illumination part 45 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0139] The illumination part 45 is made of aluminum and is formed
into a shape with a part thereof is removed, so that inner part of
the quadrangular prism has a U-shape turned sideways. The LED
substrate 23, on which a plurality of LEDs 22 are mounted in a row,
is installed on a bottom 50 inside of the illumination part 45. In
the illumination device 41 according to the second embodiment, the
illumination part 45 can be turned with the first turning shaft as
a center, and therefore, unlike the first embodiment, there is no
necessity for providing the inclined surface inside of the
illumination part to change the irradiation direction in advance.
In addition, the shape (U-shape turned sideways) of the
illumination part according to the second embodiment is not
complicated, compared with the shape of the illumination part
according to the first embodiment, thus facilitating the
manufacture and can reduce the cost.
[0140] Further, the light source is the LED 22 having high
directivity. Therefore, even if the LED substrate 23 is provided on
the bottom 50 of the illumination part 45 having U-shape turned
sideways in a cross-section, almost there is no case that
irradiation is blocked by the side face 51 of the irradiation part
45, resulting in losing light quantity. When the fluorescent lamp
and the cold-cathode tube capable of irradiating in all directions
with low directivity is used, as described in the first embodiment,
the reflection plate is preferably provided inside of the
illumination part 45.
Third Embodiment
[0141] Next, an illumination device 61 according to a third
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. Characteristic parts of the third
embodiment will be described below, wherein the same reference
numerals are assigned to the parts in common with those of the
first or second embodiment, and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0142] FIG. 13 is a schematic front view of an illumination body
part 62 of the illumination device 61 according to the third
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic
perspective view of the illumination body part 62 of the
illumination device 61 according to the third embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic enlarged view of the
turning mechanism of the illumination device 61 according to the
third embodiment of the present invention.
[0143] As with the second embodiment, the illumination device 61
according to the third embodiment has the turning mechanism capable
of turning in multiple directions.
[0144] The turning mechanism will be described in detail.
[0145] The turning mechanism includes a turning part 68 (first
turning part 66 and second turning part 67) for turning an
illumination part 65 (first illumination part 63 and second
illumination part 64) in a direction of being folded with respect
to the support part 4, and a first turning shaft 69 communicated
with the turning part 68 and the illumination part 65, for turning
the illumination part 65, and a second turning shaft 70
communicated with the turning part 68 and the support part 4, for
turning the turning part 68.
[0146] Accordingly, turning of the turning part 68 is achieved with
the second turning shaft 70 as a center, in addition to the turning
in two directions similar to the illumination device 41 of the
second embodiment (a direction in which the illumination part 65 is
folded with respect to the support part 4, and a direction in which
the illumination part 65 is turned with the first turning part 69
as a center). Note that in FIGS. 13 to 15, the structure is visible
from outside so that the first turning shaft 69 and the second
turning shaft 70 can be easily recognized. However, a cover part
for covering such turning shafts may also be provided.
[0147] The turning part 68 can be turned with the second turning
shaft 70 as a center, and therefore a relative position of the
illumination part 65 is also changed, with turning of the turning
part 68, thus increasing freedom degree of the illumination part 65
in a turning direction. Therefore, even when illuminating the image
display device of various sizes and the periphery of the equipment
other than the image display device, such a case can be suitably
responded.
[0148] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a state in which
the illumination part 65 of the illumination device 61 according to
the third embodiment of the present invention, is folded with
respect to the support part 4.
[0149] In the turning mechanism of the third embodiment, turning of
the turning part 68 is achieved with respect to the support part 4,
with the second turning shaft 70 as a center. Therefore, as shown
in the figure, the illumination part 65 can be housed in a state of
being compactly folded with respect to the support part 4.
Fourth Embodiment
[0150] Next, an illumination device 71 according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. Characteristic parts of the fourth
embodiment will be described below, wherein the same reference
numerals are assigned to the parts in common with those of the
first to third embodiments, and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0151] FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the illumination device
71 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0152] An illumination part 74 (first illumination part 72 and
second illumination part 73) of the illumination device 71
according to the fourth embodiment is the illumination part with
the quadrangular prism is bent so as to have a curved part (portion
R), unlike the quadrangular prism-shaped illumination part
described in first to third embodiments. The LED substrate, on
which LEDs are mounted in a row along the curved part, is provided
inside of the illumination part 74. Therefore, a thin type
substrate is preferably one that can fit the curved part, as the
substrate.
[0153] Further, as described in the first embodiment, the first
illumination part 72 and the second illumination part 73 are fixed
by a pair of lock part 75 provided on the opposed surfaces. A
semi-circle state is formed by the first illumination part 72, the
second illumination part 73, and the support part 4. Accordingly,
the shape is further close to three sides (upper side and right and
left sides) of the screen of the image display device, compared
with the triangular shape, and therefore the periphery of the
screen can be further efficiently illuminated.
Fifth Embodiment
[0154] Next, an illumination device 81 according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. Characteristic parts of the fifth
embodiment will be described below, wherein the same reference
numerals are assigned to the parts in common with those of the
first to third embodiments, and the description thereof is
omitted.
[0155] The illumination device 81 according to the fifth embodiment
does not have the triangular shape but has a rectangular shape
formed by the illumination part and the support part, unlike the
illumination device of first to third embodiments.
[0156] FIG. 18 is a schematic front view of the illumination device
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0157] The illumination device 81 of the fifth embodiment has a
third illumination part 84 in addition to a first illumination part
82 and a second illumination part 83. The third illumination part
84 is connected to the illumination device 81 through a third
turning part 85 with a connection side connected to the second
turning part 6 of the second illumination part 83 provided on the
opposite end portion, so as to be turned in a direction with
respect to the second illumination part 83, with the third turning
part 85 as a center.
[0158] Further, a pair of lock parts 86 described in the first
embodiment are provided on the end portion not connected to the
first illumination part 82 and the third illumination part 84, and
the first illumination part 82, the second illumination part 83,
the third illumination part 84, and the support part 4 are fixed in
a state of forming the rectangular shape.
[0159] By increasing the illumination parts, different areas of the
periphery of the illumination device 81 can be illuminated from
various different directions, and therefore sufficient illuminance
can be secured in the periphery. Further, the illumination parts
are provided corresponding to three sides (upper side and right and
left sides) of the screen of the image display device, and
therefore surely sufficient illuminance can be secured in a lower
surface periphery, thus making it possible to give the effect of
indirect illumination to the user.
Sixth Embodiment
[0160] Next, an illumination device 91 according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. The illumination device of the sixth
embodiment is a modified example of the illumination device of the
fifth embodiment, and the rectangular shape is formed by the
illumination part and the support part.
[0161] FIG. 19 is a schematic front view of the illumination device
91 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0162] The illumination device 91 of the sixth embodiment has a
third illumination part 94 and a fourth illumination part 95, in
addition to a first illumination part 92 and a second illumination
part 93. The third illumination part 94 is connected to the
illumination device 91 through a third turning part 96 with a
connection side connected to the second turning part 6 of the
second illumination part 93 provided on the opposite end portion,
and the fourth illumination part 95 is connected to the
illumination device 91 through a fourth turning part 97 with the
connection side connected to the first turning part 5 of the first
illumination part 92 provided on the opposite end portion.
[0163] Further, a pair of lock parts 98 described in the first
embodiment are provided on the end portion not connected to the
third illumination part 94 and the turning part of the fourth
illumination part 95, and the first illumination part 92, the
second illumination part 93, the third illumination part 94, the
fourth illumination part 95, and the support part 4 are fixed in a
state of forming the rectangular shape. By increasing the
illumination parts, similar effects as the fifth embodiment can be
obtained.
[0164] Further, in the illumination devices of the aforementioned
first to sixth embodiments, the support part has not only a
function of supporting a plurality of illumination parts, but also
may have a function as the illumination parts, by providing the
light source (such as LED) to the support part itself.
[0165] In addition, in the illumination devices of the
aforementioned first to sixth embodiments, the surface mount type
package LED is used as the light source, on which each LED element
of RGB is packaged. However, individually packaged LED is
respectively provided for every RGB and a plurality of colors may
be exhibited.
[0166] In order to make the illumination devices of the first to
third embodiments illuminate suitably to the image display device
having a 46-type screen size, the size of the illumination device
is preferably set, so that a longitudinal length of a plurality of
illumination parts is 60 cm (69 cm if the lock parts of the end
portion and the turning part are included), the longitudinal length
of the support part is 82 cm, the size of a lateral width of the
illumination device is 91 cm, and a height is 69 cm (height from a
horizontal surface to the support part is 17 cm). Thus, the
periphery of the screen of the image display device can be
effectively illuminated.
[0167] Note that in the aforementioned description, the vertical
and right and left directions are the directions in a case of
installing the illumination device on the horizontal surface as
reference, and a lower direction shows a vertical lower direction
normally.
Seventh Embodiment
[0168] FIG. 20 is an outer appearance perspective view of an
illumination device 100 according to a seventh embodiment, and FIG.
21 is an outer appearance front view of the illumination device 100
according to the seventh embodiment. The illumination device 100
includes light source parts 2, 3 in which a plurality of light
emitting diodes (called "LEDs" hereinafter) are linearly arranged,
and the support part 4 made of metal (such as aluminum) for
supporting the light source parts 2, 3.
[0169] The support part 4 has a rectangular shape in cross-section,
and has a suitable length, with both ends provided with turning
parts 5, 6 having an axis (not shown) for pivotally supporting one
end of the light source parts 2, 3, being as the illumination
parts. Thus, the light source parts 2, 3 are turnably formed around
the axes of the turning parts 5, 6. The turning parts 5, 6 have a
frictional force of a predetermined magnitude so that the light
source parts 2, 3 are held at a desired angle. In addition, a
holding mechanism may be provided for stably holding the light
source parts 2, 3 at a desired angle.
[0170] Lock parts 7, 8 are provided on the other end of the light
source parts 2, 3. The lock parts 7, 8 have a pair of engaging
structures (not shown) having concave portion and convex portion on
the mutually opposed surfaces, and the other end portions of the
light source parts 2, 3 can be fixed through engagement of the
concave portion and the convex portion. By locking the lock parts 7
and 8 with each other, the light source parts 2, 3, and the support
part 4 are formed in an appearance of an approximately triangular
shape. Note that a lock structure is not limited to the engagement
structure having the concave portion and the convex portion, and
the engagement structure of other shape may be acceptable, and a
structure of a lock locked by a magnetic body such as a magnet may
also be acceptable.
[0171] A power supply control part 10, with a control circuit for
controlling current supplied to the LED incorporated therein, is
provided in approximately the center of the support part 4, for
converting the AC voltage (AC100V) to a predetermined DC voltage
and turning-on the LEDs of the light source parts 2, 3 in a
required brightness and coloring.
[0172] Leg portions 12, 13 for installing the illumination device
100 on the floor, are fixed to a position suitably away from the
center of the support part 4. The leg portions 12, 13 include
respectively a holding part 14 formed into U-shape turned sideways
in cross-section for sandwiching the support part 4; a leg body
part 15 for supporting the holding part 14 at a predetermined angle
with respect to the support part 4, with one end fixed and attached
to the holding part 14; and a stabilization part 16 provided on the
other end of the leg body part 15 and having a suitable weight so
that the illumination device 100 is stably erected. In addition, a
member (cover) for covering the support part 4, the power supply
control part 10 and the like can also be provided.
[0173] Further, the user can arbitrarily set user preference, the
size of the image display device, and an angle formed by the leg
body part 15 of the leg portions 12, 13 and the support part 4, for
adjusting the height of the light source parts 2, 3 from the floor
surface.
[0174] Light receiving parts 191, 192, 193, being acquisition parts
for acquiring information regarding an illumination environment
such as luminance of the peripheral (backside) wall surface
(reflection surface) of the image display device, luminance
distribution, and chromaticity, are arranged in the vicinity of
each vertex of the triangular shape configured by the light source
parts 2, 3, and the support part 4. Details of the light receiving
parts 191 to 193 will be described later.
[0175] FIGS. 20 and 21 show examples of forming the triangular
shape by two light source parts 2, 3, and the support part 4.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a
rectangular shape and a polygonal shape may also be acceptable.
Further, the number of the light source parts is not limited to
two, and it may be one, or three or more. In a case of providing
one light source part, for example, a linear light source part can
be horizontally disposed at the backside of the image display
device, along an upper side edge of the image display device.
Further, in a case of using three or more light source parts, each
light source part can be disposed approximately in a circular
shape.
[0176] FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing an example of the
structure of the light source part 2. The light source part 3 has
also the similar structure, and therefore only the light source
part 2 will be described. The light source part 2 includes a casing
part 21, a substrate 23 housed in the casing part 21, and a
plurality of LEDs 22 mounted on the substrate 23.
[0177] The casing part 21 is a frame body made of aluminum having a
suitable length, with one side face opened, for housing the
substrate 23 in a longitudinal direction. Thus, heat generated by
the LED 22 can be efficiently diffused. An inclined surface 211 in
contact with the rear surface of the substrate 23 and a bottom
surface 212 are formed on the opening side sectional face of the
casing part 21, so that a predetermined angle is formed by a
substrate surface of the substrate 23 and the bottom surface 212,
with the substrate 23 fixed to the inclined surface 211.
[0178] For example, the angle formed by the inclined surface 211
and the bottom surface 212 is preferably set to approximately 30
degrees. When the inclination angle of the inclined surface 211 is
small, in such a manner as to be almost flush with the bottom
surface 212, the light from the LED 22 is emitted in a direction
approximately parallel to the wall surface at the backside of the
image display device, thus lowering the illuminance (luminance) of
the wall surface. Further, when the inclination angle of the
inclined surface 211 is large in such a manner as to form
approximately a right angle surface with respect to the bottom
surface 212, the light from the LED 22 is emitted in a direction
approximately vertical to the wall surface at the backside of the
image display device, and only the wall surface immediately
backside of the image display device is irradiated with light, thus
lowering the illuminance (luminance) of the peripheral wall at the
backside of the image display device. Accordingly, in order to
efficiently irradiate the wall surface at the backside of the image
display device with the light from the LED 22, a suitable angle is
needed. In addition, the height of the bottom surface 212 is
preferably set, so that the light emitted from the LED 22 is not
blocked by the casing part 21 itself.
[0179] The substrate 23 is, for example, a glass epoxy substrate,
on which mount components such as a resistance element and a
connector (none of them is shown) are mounted, in addition to the
plurality of LEDs 22. Note that the surface of the substrate 23
where no mount components such as LEDs 22 is mounted, is desirably
painted in white, so that the light emitted from the LEDs 22 are
not absorbed by the substrate 23.
[0180] The LED 22 is a surface mount type package LED on which the
LED elements of three colors of red (R) LED element, blue (B) LED
element, and green (G) LED element are packaged. Light emission
intensity of each LED element of RGB can be controlled, and
therefore by adjusting the light emission intensity (luminance) of
the LED element of each color, irradiation of multiple colors is
achieved by LED. Thus, the periphery (such as backside wall
surface) of the image display device can be illuminated by a
favorite color of the user. In addition, it is also acceptable that
the LED 22 is not the package LED including the LED elements of
RGB, but is an LED chip of each color of RGB, wherein the LED chip
of each color of RGB is arrayed in the light source part.
[0181] Particularly, by illuminating the periphery of the image
display device by controlling the chromaticity of the LED 22, so as
to obtain similar colors as the picture displayed in the screen of
the image display device (particularly the picture in an area of an
outer peripheral part of the screen), the picture having an
expansion of not less than the size of the screen can be provided
to the user (viewer), thus making it possible to give further
realistic sensation to the user.
[0182] Note that the light source is not limited to the LED, and
other light source such as a fluorescent lamp and a cold cathode
tube may also be used. However, the directivity of the LED is high,
and therefore the wall surface of the periphery of the image
display device can be efficiently irradiated, and the control of
the irradiation direction is easy. In a case of using the light
source with not high directivity like the fluorescent lamp and
emitting light in all directions, a reflection member for
reflecting the emitted light is preferably provided to inside of
the light source part 2.
[0183] In an example of FIG. 22, one substrate 23 is housed in the
light source part 2. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto, and two or more substrates may be housed therein. Even if
failure of the LED on the substrate occurs, only the substrate, on
which the defective LED is mounted, may be exchanged, and the cost
required for exchange can be reduced.
[0184] Further, by shortening dimensions of the plurality of
substrates and separately arranging the substrates from each other,
the number of LEDs mounted in the vicinity of the center of the
light source parts 2, 3 can be reduced, and the cost required for
the entire illumination device can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 21,
in a case of the illumination device 100 wherein two sides of a
triangle is formed by the light source parts 2, 3, when the
illumination device 100 is disposed at the backside (rear side) of
the image display device, a part where the LED is not mounted in
the vicinity of the center of the light source parts 2, 3 is
located at a position away from the peripheral edge of the image
display device, thus giving almost no influence to the illuminance
(luminance) of the upper side periphery and right and left
peripheral wall surface of the screen of the image display device
viewed from the viewer, thus making it possible to sufficiently
secure the illumination environment (optical environment) for
giving the effect (realistic sensation) of indirect illumination to
the viewer.
[0185] Further, a transparent cover made of synthetic resin may
also be provided, for protecting the substrate 23 on which the LEDs
22 are mounted. In addition, the cover may include a diffusion
filter for diffusing the light emitted from the LEDs 22. Thus, the
light emitted from the LEDs 22 having high directivity are
diffused, and a brightness distribution of the wall surface at the
backside of the image display device can be made smooth.
[0186] FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing an installation
example of the illumination device 100 according to a seventh
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, the illumination device 100 is
installed at the backside of the image display device and between
the image display device and the backside wall surface (reflection
surface). The backside wall surface of the image display device is
irradiated with light from the light source part 3, in a state that
the illumination device 100 is installed. Further, the same thing
also applies to the light source part 2 (not shown).
[0187] FIG. 24 is an explanatory view showing an example of the
structure of the light receiving part 191. The light receiving
parts 192 and 193 have similar structures. Further, FIG. 25 is an
explanatory view showing an arrangement example of the light
receiving part 192. FIG. 25 shows a case of viewing a floor surface
from a ceiling. The same thing also applies to the light receiving
part 193. As shown in FIG. 24, the light receiving part 191
includes a photo sensor 1911, a light reception control part 1912,
and the like.
[0188] The photo sensor 1911 includes photoelectric conversion
elements having sensitivity at least in a visible light wavelength
region, like the elements such as CdS cell, photodiode, and
phototransistor, and capable of detecting the luminance of the
reflection surface (wall surface) for reflecting the light emitted
from the LEDs 22 of the light source part 23. Further, for example,
if the photo sensor 191 is formed as a color sensor with a
structure of using three photodiodes having sensitivity for each of
the red, blue, and green colors, or a structure in combination with
a color filter of red, blue, and green, with a plurality of
photodiodes arranged as a photodiode array, the chromaticity and
the chromaticity distribution, etc, of the reflection surface can
be detected. In addition, in this case, sensitivity characteristic
of RGB of the photo sensor 1911 and light emission wavelength
characteristic of the LED 22 are matched with each other, to
thereby accurately control the light source according to the color
of the light reflected from the reflection surface. Therefore, a
preferable illumination environment can be realized.
[0189] The light reception control part 1912 has, for example, a
Louver structure and a structure such as slit or pinhole having a
prescribe thickness, and controls a direction of an incident light
detected by the photo sensor 1911. In addition, as the light
reception control part 1912, a light control film, a polarized
filter, or the like, can also be used in a display screen of a
personal computer, a cell-phone, or the like, which functions in
the same way as a film provided for the purpose of preventing
look-in from side.
[0190] Thus, as shown in FIG. 24, for example, the directivity of
the light receiving part 191 can be regulated, so as to receive
only the light (by symbol "o" in the figure) incident on a light
receiving surface of the light receiving part at approximately
vertical incident angle (approximately 0 degree in this embodiment)
incident on the light receiving part 191. Thus, the incident light
with large incident angle (shown by .DELTA. and .times. in the
figure) is not received. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the light
receiving part 192 is provided, so that a direction of the
directivity of the light receiving part 192 coincides or is
approximated with/to a direction in which the viewer views the
image display device. Thus, out of the light from the reflection
surface (such as wall surface) at the backside of the image display
device, the light that can be caught by a viewer's eye level can be
detected when the picture in the screen of the image display device
is viewed by the viewer, thus making it possible to accurately
acquire the luminance and/or chromaticity of the wall surface that
can be recognized by the viewer's eye level. Further, irrespective
of setting conditions of an angle or a material of the backside
wall of the image display device, and further regarding a degree of
an influence of solar light or light by other illumination device
as well, an illumination environment on the wall surface can be
acquired by the viewer's eye level.
[0191] FIG. 26 is an explanatory view showing an example of
installation positions of the light receiving parts 191, 192, and
193. FIG. 26A shows an example of installing three light receiving
parts 191 to 193 separately from each other by a suitable length,
and FIG. 26B shows an example of installing two light receiving
parts 191, 193 separately from each other by a suitable length. As
shown in FIG. 26A, when the illumination device 100 is disposed at
the backside (rear side) of the image display device, the light
receiving parts 192, 193 are provided at a position close to edge
parts of right and left of the image display device, and the light
receiving part 191 is provided at a position close to approximately
the center of an upper side edge of the image display device.
Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 26B the light receiving parts 191,
193 can also be provided at a position close to the edges of the
right and left of the image display device. Further, when the light
reception control part having the Louver structure is used, the
reflected light that can be recognized by the viewer can be
accurately detected as much as possible, by providing the Louver
structure to the light receiving parts 191 to 193 shown in FIG. 26
in a direction shown by lines. By providing a plurality of light
receiving parts separately from each other by a suitable length, a
desired illumination environment can be realized at a plurality of
places in the periphery of the equipment such as the image display
device.
[0192] When the viewer views the picture in the screen of the image
display device, the viewer recognizes the light from the backside
reflection surface (such as wall surface) which is not blocked by
the image display device. Therefore, by providing the light
receiving parts 191 to 193 in the vicinity of the edge of the image
display device, the reflected light that can be recognized by the
viewer can be accurately detected as much as possible. Further,
since the reflected light of the edge of the screen is detected and
the light source is controlled, faithful illumination is achieved
by the display of the screen. Therefore, the effect of indirect
illumination can be increased, and the viewer feels the expansion
of the screen, thus improving the realistic sensation.
[0193] FIG. 27 is an explanatory view showing other configuration
example of the light receiving part 191. In the example of FIG. 27,
mutually orthogonal Louver structure is used, to further increase
the directivity of the light received by the light receiving part
191. When the pinhole is used, by further increasing a length
dimension of the light receiving part 191 in a direction of
incoming the reflected light, only the light reflected in a
direction of a predetermined angle can be surely received. Further,
when the directivity of the received light is increased, light
quantity passing through the light reception control part 1913 is
reduced. Therefore, the element having high sensitivity capable of
converting even an imperceptible light to an electric signal, may
be used as the photo sensor 1911.
[0194] FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the structure of the
illumination device 100 according to the seventh embodiment. The
illumination device 100 includes: an input signal transmitting part
101 provided to an operating terminal such as a remote controller;
an input signal receiving part 102; a light source control part
103; light source parts 2, 3 such as LEDs 22; a light mixing part
105; an light emission data storage part 106; a light reception
data storage part 107; a data comparing part 108; and the
aforementioned light receiving parts 191 to 193.
[0195] The input signal transmitting part 101 transmits an input
signal according to an operation of the viewer, to the input signal
receiving part 102 in a wired or wireless way. The input signal
includes, for example, an illumination on/off signal for turning
on/off the illumination of the illumination device 100; a sensor
on/off signal for controlling whether or not the luminance, etc, of
the reflection surface (wall surface) of the light receiving part
191 is detected; and an illumination control signal for controlling
the luminance, luminance distribution, and chromaticity of the
illumination of the illumination device 100.
[0196] The input signal receiving part 102 outputs the received
input signal to the light source control part 103.
[0197] When the illumination "on" signal is included in the input
signal, the light source control part 103 acquires light emission
data stored in the light emission data storage part 106 according
to the acquired illumination control signal, and based on the
acquired light emission data, generates light source control data,
and outputs the generated light source control data to the light
source parts 2, 3. The light emission data includes a light
controlling signal to a plurality of light sources. For example,
when the light source is LED, the duty ratio for modulating pulse
width is given, to determine a value of current flown through the
LED and the timing of flowing the current.
[0198] When the light source is the surface mount type package LED
on which the LED elements of three colors of red (R) element, blue
(B) LED element, and green (G) LED element are packaged, the
chromaticity can be controlled by controlling the luminance, for
every LED element of each color of RGB.
[0199] The light source parts 2, 3 cause the light source such as
LED to emit light, according to the inputted light source control
data.
[0200] The light mixing part 105 is a light diffusing filter and
has a function of applying light emitted from the light source
parts 2, 3, as even and uniform light as much as possible. For
example, void or frosty glass can be used in the light mixing part
105. Note that the transmittance of light is preferably higher.
[0201] When the sensor "on" signal is included in the input signal,
under the control of the light source control part 103, the data
comparing part 108 compares light information S obtained by
detecting the luminance, chromaticity, and luminance distribution,
etc, of the reflection surface (wall surface) by the light
receiving part 191, and light information T stored in the light
reception data storage part 107. The data comparing part 108
outputs a comparison result to the light source control part 103.
Light information S, T includes information regarding luminance,
chromaticity, and luminance distribution, etc. The light
information T previously stored in the light reception data storage
part 107 can be the light information in the wall surface, when the
image display device and the illumination device are installed at
prescribe positions in front of the wall surface, which is an ideal
place.
[0202] The light source control part 103 increases/decreases the
light quantity of the light source parts 2, 3, according to the
inputted comparison result, or adjusts the chromaticity. By such
processing, the illumination device 100 capable of responding to
various installation places can be realized, by repeating
adjustment of light emission of the light source parts 2, 3, until
the light information S and the light information T satisfies a
predetermined coincidence condition (for example, a difference
between the light information S and the light information T falls
within a predetermined range).
[0203] Note that depending on an environment of installing the
image display device, there is a circumstance that the luminance,
chromaticity, luminance distribution, and the like of the wall
surface are extremely different, compared with a normal case. In
such a case, there is a possibility that the luminance,
chromaticity, luminance distribution, and the like of the wall
surface cannot be adjusted within a desired range. Therefore, the
viewer needs to be notified of some warning.
[0204] FIG. 29 is an explanation showing a display example of the
warning. In a case that the image display device is installed
further away from the backside wall surface (reflection surface),
there is a possibility that the light quantity of the light source
parts 2, 3 continues to increase until a desired luminance is
obtained, when the wall surface has an extremely low reflectance
like a black wall paper or wall material. In order to prevent such
a state, an upper limit of the light quantity is previously set,
and when the light quantity to be adjusted exceeds the upper limit,
as shown in FIG. 29, the warning can be displayed to urge the
viewer to turn-off the sensor or turn-off backside
illumination.
[0205] Next, an operation of the illumination device 100 of the
seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart
showing a processing procedure of the illumination device 100
according to the seventh embodiment. The light source control part
103 determines whether or not an illumination "on" signal is
received (S11), and when the illumination "on" signal is not
received (NO in S11), the processing of step S11 is continued.
[0206] When the illumination "on" signal is received (Yes in S11),
the light source control part 103 acquires the light emission data
(S12), and generates the light source control data according to the
acquired light emission data (S13), to thereby turn-on the light
source (S14).
[0207] The light source control part 103 determines whether or not
the sensor "on" signal is received (S15), and when the sensor "on"
signal is received (YES in S15), detects the luminance or
chromaticity of the reflection surface (wall surface) (S16). The
light source control part 103 compares the detected luminance or
chromaticity and a threshold value or a predetermined value (S17).
Here, the threshold value is the threshold value with respect to
the luminance of the reflection surface, and the predetermined
value is, for example, the chromaticity set by the viewer.
[0208] The light source control part 103 controls the light
quantity or chromaticity of the light source parts 2, 3 according
to the comparison result (S18), and determines whether or not the
illumination "off" signal is received (S19). Meanwhile, when the
sensor "on" signal is not received (NO in S15), the light source
control part 103 performs processing of step S19.
[0209] When the illumination "off" signal is not received (NO in
S19), the light source control part 103 continues to perform
processing of step S19, and when the illumination "off" signal is
received (YES in S19), turns off the light source (S20), and ends
the processing.
[0210] FIG. 31 is an explanatory view showing an example of
indirect illumination by the illumination device 100 according to
the seventh embodiment. As shown in FIG. 31, the illumination
device 100 is disposed behind the image display device at a
position where the viewer cannot view directly. The wall surface is
irradiated with the light emitted from the light source parts 2, 3
from the backside (rear side) of the image display device. Thus, it
is possible to achieve the illumination environment having the
luminance distribution in which the peripheral part of the image
display device (particularly upper side edge, right and left edge
parts), namely the periphery of the wall surface is brightened and
the luminance is gradually lowered with increasing distance from
the peripheral part of the image display device.
[0211] When the viewer views the picture displayed in the screen of
the image display device, the way of looking (state of illumination
environment such as luminance and luminance distribution) of the
backside wall surface of the image display device is different,
depending on the material, direction or angle of the backside wall
surface of the image display device, or whether the wall surface is
a flat surface or curved surface, or according to a distance
between the image display device and the wall surface. However, by
detecting the luminance of the reflection surface (wall surface),
the viewer's desired illumination environment can be realized, even
when the installation environment of the image display device is
changed.
[0212] Further, by detecting the chromaticity of the reflection
surface (wall surface), the illumination environment of the
viewer's desired chromaticity and chromaticity distribution can be
realized, even when the installation environment of the image
display device is changed.
Eighth Embodiment
[0213] In the aforementioned seventh embodiment, the luminance,
etc, of the wall surface is detected by the light receiving parts
191 to 193 fixed to the illumination device 100. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto, and the illumination
environment of the periphery of the image display device can be
adjusted in a circumstance closer to the viewpoint of the viewer,
by acquiring the information of the illumination environment such
as luminance, luminance distribution, and chromaticity of the wall
surface of the periphery (backside) of the image display device by
a remote controller operated at hand of the viewer.
[0214] FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing the structure of the
illumination device 100 according to an eighth embodiment, and FIG.
33 is an outer appearance view of a remote controller part 200. The
illumination device 100 of the eighth embodiment is different from
that of the seventh embodiment in that the illumination device 100
of the eighth embodiment includes an acquired image data receiving
part 121, being an image acquisition part as an acquisition part of
the information of the illumination environment; a data comparing
part 122; an image data storage part 123; and a remote controller
part 200. Note that the same reference numerals are assigned to the
same parts as those of the seventh embodiment and the description
thereof is omitted.
[0215] The remote controller part 200 includes: an imaging part
201; an imaging control part 202; a signal input part 203; an input
signal transmitting part 204; an image analysis part 205; an
imaging state display part 206; and an acquired image data
transmitting part 207, and the like.
[0216] By operating the signal input part 203, the viewer can start
imaging by the imaging part 201. Thus, the input signal
transmitting part 204 transmits the image acquiring "on" signal to
the input signal receiving part 102.
[0217] The imaging part 201 includes an optical system such as a
lens and imaging elements such as a CCD or a CMOS, and converts the
light in a visible light region to an electric signal, and outputs
the converted electric signal to the imaging control part 202.
Thus, by operating the remote controller 200 by the viewer, desired
scenery can be imaged.
[0218] The imaging control part 202 confirms an image quality such
as focus or exposure, and outputs an operation signal to the
imaging part 201 as needed, and performs adjustment of the image
quality of the picked-up image obtained by imaging. The imaging
control part 202 outputs the picked up image to the image analysis
part 205.
[0219] The image analysis part 205 performs edge detection by a
pixel value of the picked-up image, and by using a technique of
pattern matching to the edge image, specifies an image area
corresponding to the image display device. The image analysis part
205 outputs the adjustment signal to the imaging control part 202,
for adjusting an image angle according to the size of the specified
image area. Thereafter, the image analysis part 205 determines
whether or not an acquired image range R of a proper size can be
acquired, according to the size of inside of the picked-up image of
the specified image area, and can urge the viewer to operate the
imaging state display part 206 to adjust a position or a direction
of the remote controller part 200 as needed.
[0220] The imaging state display part 206 displays the picked-up
image and an operation request to the viewer. The viewer can adjust
the position or the direction of the remote controller part 200 so
that the image display device is positioned at approximately the
center of the picked-up image displayed in the imaging state
display part 206.
[0221] FIG. 34 is an explanatory view showing a determination
example of the acquired image range. As shown in FIG. 34,
longitudinal/lateral dimensions of the screen of the image display
device is set to H, W respectively, and space dimensions of top,
right, and left of the image display device within the acquired
image range R are set to L1, L2, and L3, respectively. Whether or
not the acquire image range R has a proper size can be determined
as a proper size, for example, in a case of satisfying L1.gtoreq.H,
L2.gtoreq.W/2, and L3.gtoreq.W/2.
[0222] When the image analysis part 205 determines that the
acquired image range R has a proper size, the luminance, luminance
distribution, chromaticity, and the like of the reflection surface
(wall surface) at the backside of the image display device are
calculated, based on the picked-up image remained after excluding
the image area corresponding to the image display device from the
picked-up image. The image analysis part 205 generates acquired
image data J according to a calculation result, and outputs the
generated acquired image data J to the acquired image data
transmitting part 207.
[0223] The acquired image data transmitting part 207 transmits the
acquired image data J to the acquired image data receiving part
121.
[0224] The acquired image data receiving part 121 outputs the
received acquired image data J to the data comparing part 122.
[0225] The data comparing part 122 acquires image data K, being a
target previously stored in the image data storage part 123, and
compares the acquired image data J and the image data K. The data
comparing part 122 outputs the comparison result to the light
source control part 103. Here, the image data K, being the target,
can be the data for expressing the illumination environment in the
wall surface, in a case of installing the image display device at a
predetermined position in front of the wall surface, which is an
ideal place. Note that the data compared by the data comparing part
122 includes, for example, the luminance, luminance distribution,
chromaticity, and the like
[0226] The light source control part 103 increases/decreases the
light quantity of the light source parts 2, 3, according to the
inputted comparison result, or adjusts the chromaticity. In other
words, the light source control part 103 controls the light
quantity of the light source parts 2, 3, light emission ratio
(ratio of R, G, B), chromaticity, and the like, so that the
detected luminance, chromaticity, and the like, reach a
predetermined value (target value).
[0227] The light control part 103 adjusts the luminance and/or
chromaticity of the light source parts 2, 3, according to the
inputted comparison result. In other words, the light source
control part 103 controls the light quantity of the light source
parts 2, 3, and the chromaticity and the like of each color of R,
G, B, so that the detected luminance, the chromaticity, and, reach
a predetermined value (target value).
[0228] FIGS. 35 and 36 are explanatory views showing the processing
procedure of the illumination device 100 according to the eighth
embodiment. The light source control part 103 determines whether or
not the illumination "on" signal is received (S31), and when the
illumination "on" signal is not received (NO in S31), the
processing of step S31 is continued.
[0229] When the illumination "on" signal is received (YES in S31),
the light source control part 103 acquires the light emission data
(S32), and generates light source control data according to the
acquired light emission data (S33), and turns-on the light source
(S34).
[0230] The light source control part 103 determines whether or not
the image acquiring "on" signal is received (S35), and when the
image acquiring "on" signal is received (YES in S35), acquires the
picked-up image (S36), and specifies the image area corresponding
to the image display device by the acquired picked-up image
(S37).
[0231] The light source control part 103 determines whether or not
the acquired image range R is a proper range (S38), and when the
acquired image range R is not the proper range (NO in S38),
displays a message that the acquired image is improper (S39), and
performs the processing after step S36. When the acquired image
range R is a proper range (YES in S38), the light source control
part 103 calculates the luminance, luminance distribution, and
chromaticity in the picked-up image from which the specified image
area is excluded (S40).
[0232] The light source control part 103 compares the calculated
result, and predetermined luminance, luminance distribution, and
chromaticity (S41), and controls the luminance, chromaticity or the
like of the light source parts 2, 3 according to comparison result
(S42). The light source control part 103 determines whether or not
the illumination "off" signal is received (S43). Meanwhile, when
the image acquiring "on" signal is not received (NO in S35), the
light source control part 103 performs the processing of step
S43.
[0233] When the illumination "off" signal is not received (NO in
S43), the light source control part 103 continues to perform
processing of step S43, and when the illumination "off" signal is
received (YES in S43), turns-off the light source (S44), and ends
the processing.
[0234] As describe above, in the eighth embodiment, when the viewer
views the picture on the screen of the image display device, the
luminance, luminance distribution, chromaticity, and the like of
the entire reflection surface (such as wall surface) in a visual
field of the viewer, can be detected. Therefore, the information of
a wider area than the detection part as described in the first
embodiment can be obtained, and therefore the illumination
environment corresponding to the environment in which the
illumination device is installed, can be further surely realized.
Further, by preventing the light from the image display device and
particularly preventing an influence by the picture on the screen,
the luminance, luminance distribution, chromaticity, and the like
of the entire reflection surface (such as wall surface) in the
visual field of the viewer can be further accurately detected.
[0235] In the eighth embodiment, the acquired image data J and the
image data K are compared. Therefore, the acquired image data J
transmitted to a body side of the illumination device 100 from the
remote controller 200 is preferably static image data including RGB
values for every pixel of the picked-up image. Further, in a case
of picture data including the aforementioned data that can be
transmitted in real time, further detailed illumination environment
can be controlled, and this is ideal.
[0236] As a transmission system of the acquired image data, a
general wireless communication system can be used. For example,
distance of remote controller operation is within 10 meters in many
cases. Therefore, a system used in a so-called wireless PAN
(Personal Area Network) is appropriate as the wireless
communication system. For example, a wireless LAN system
represented by IEEE802, 11b, g, Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB, and the
like can be used.
[0237] Further, one direction from the remote controller 200 to the
body side of the illumination device 100 is sufficient as a
transmitting direction of the acquired image data. Therefore, if an
infrared ray communication can be utilized, which is used in
transmitting data by normal remote control operation, there is no
necessity for adding a function of transmitting the image data, and
there is no necessity for increasing the dimension of the remote
controller part, thus making it possible to reduce power
consumption. In this case, data quantity of the transmitted image
data is preferably reduced. A method of reducing the transmitted
data quantity will be described below.
[0238] The image display device is generally placed on a floor or
on a placement table in many cases, and in this case, an important
luminance distribution in the periphery of the image display device
for the viewer is an expansion of the peripheral edge of the image
display device, to right and left and to an upper part. Therefore,
a coordinate system of the periphery of the image display device is
considered.
[0239] FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing an example of the
coordinate system of the periphery of the image display device. As
shown in FIG. 37, the coordinate system (XR, XL, XT) crossing at
the center of the image display device is defined. Each coordinate
axis is defined in a vertical direction from the center of three
sides on the display surface of the image display device.
[0240] The image data obtained by picking-up the image by the
imaging part 201, can be expressed by at least a tristimulus value
of RGB, for every pixel decided by a resolution of an imaging
element such as CCD. When this tristimulus value is used, such data
can be used as it is. However, for example, when the illumination
environment is expressed by brightness data for every pixel,
lightness Y is calculated by formula Y=1.0000R+4.5907G+0.00601B
based on a standard color-matching function defined by Commission
Internationale de l'{hacek over (E)}clairage (CIE), to thereby
obtain luminous quantities of the lightness in consideration of a
standard ratio luminosity factor.
[0241] FIG. 38 is a schematic view showing an example of an
experiment environment for measuring the illumination environment
of the periphery of the image display device, and FIG. 39 is an
explanatory view showing an example of the illumination
environment. As shown in FIG. 38, 52-type liquid crystal television
is used as the image display device, and different illumination
environments of four kinds A to D as shown in FIG. 39 are set. For
example, illumination environment A is a state in which the
illumination device 100 is turned-on in white color at color
temperature of 5000K, and ceiling illumination is set in a state of
being turned-off. In the following, illumination environments B to
D are similarly set as shown in FIG. 39. The brightness of the
ceiling illumination is 300 Lux just under an instrument.
[0242] FIGS. 40, 41, 42, and 43 are explanatory views showing the
luminance distribution of the wall surface at the backside of the
image display device. FIG. 40 shows the luminance distribution in a
case of the illumination environment A, FIG. 41 shows the luminance
distribution in a case of the illumination environment B, FIG. 42
shows the luminance distribution in a case of the illumination
environment C, and FIG. 43 shows the luminance distribution in a
case of the illumination environment D. As shown in FIGS. 40 to 43,
it is found that the luminance distribution has different
characteristics, according to the illumination environments A to D.
An example of extracting such characteristics will be described
below.
[0243] As characteristic amounts showing the characteristic of the
luminance distribution, short or long distance from the edge of the
image display device, namely, the ratio of an average luminance I1
of an area far from the image display device, to an average
luminance I2 of an area close to the image display device, and a
differential value of the luminance (differential average value of
the luminance) for distance, are considered. In the area far from
the image display device, for example, distance from the edge of
the image display device is 400 to 500 mm (3 to 3.8 at a ratio of a
diagonal length of the screen of the image display device), and in
the area close to the image display device, for example, the
distance from the edge of the image display device is 0 to 100 mm
(0 to 0.8 at the ratio of a diagonal length of the screen of the
image display device).
[0244] FIG. 44 is an explanatory view showing a calculation result
of the characteristic amount. FIG. 44A shows the ratio of the
average luminance I1 of the area far from the image display device
in each of the illumination environments A to D, to the average
luminance I2 of the area close to the image display device, and
FIG. 44B shows the differential average value of the luminance.
[0245] In order to view the picture displayed in the screen of the
image display device by the viewer with high realistic sensation,
the illumination environment A is the most suitable illumination
environment, wherein the periphery of the image display device is
illuminated by the illumination device 100 and the ceiling
illumination is turned-off. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 44A when
the ratio I1/I2 of the average luminance I1 of the area far from
the image display device, to the average luminance I2 of the area
close to the image display device satisfies, for example,
I1/I2<0.5, the illumination environment A can be distinguished
from other illumination environments B to D, and it can be said
that excellent illumination environment for the viewer can be
realized.
[0246] Further, as shown in FIG. 44B when the differential average
value of the luminance is, for example, a negative value and an
absolute value of the differential average value is 1(nt/mm) or
more, the illumination environment A can be distinguished from
other illumination environments B to D, and it can be said that
excellent illumination environment for the viewer can be
realized.
[0247] Instead of transmitting the entire image data obtained by
picking-up the image by the imaging part 201, only the
aforementioned characteristic amount is transmitted to the body of
the illumination device 100, to thereby realize an optimal
illumination environment only by a normal communication function
such as an infrared ray communication provided to the remote
controller.
[0248] According to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the illumination device 100 includes the light source
for illuminating the periphery of the equipment such as the image
display device, then acquires the information regarding the
illumination environment such as luminance, luminance distribution,
or chromaticity in the periphery of the equipment, and controls the
luminance and/or the chromaticity of the light source according to
the information regarding the acquired illumination environment, to
thereby obtain a desired illumination environment. The information
regarding the illumination environment may be directly detected by
a sensor, etc, or may be calculated based on the detected data. In
addition, the acquisition part may be installed in the illumination
device body or may be installed on the rear surface of the
equipment such as the image display device. In the illumination
device, for example, when the luminance is lower than a
predetermined value in the acquired information regarding the
illumination environment, the light quantity of the light source is
increased to obtain a high luminance in the periphery of the
equipment. Further, when the chromaticity is lower than a
predetermined value in the acquired information regarding the
illumination environment, the chromaticity of the light source is
increased to obtain a high chromaticity in the periphery of the
equipment. Thus, a desired illumination environment can be
realized, irrespective of a peripheral state of the equipment.
[0249] Further, in a case of installing the equipment such as the
image display device indoors, when the viewer views the picture
displayed in the screen of the equipment according to the material,
direction, or angle of the wall at the backside of the equipment,
or the distance between the equipment and the wall surface, the way
of looking (such as luminance and luminance distribution state) of
the wall surface at the backside of the equipment is different. In
the present invention, by acquiring the information regarding the
illumination environment, a viewer's desired illumination
environment can be realized, even when the installation environment
of the equipment is changed.
[0250] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, when the light emitted from the light source is
reflected by the reflection surface, the illumination device 100
detects the luminance of the reflection surface by the detection
part. The detection part may be installed in the illumination
device body or may be installed on the rear surface of the
equipment such as the image display device. The luminance and the
threshold value detected by the detection part are compared, and
the light quantity of the light source is controlled according to
the comparison result. For example, when the detected luminance is
lower than a threshold value, the light quantity of the light
source is increased to obtain a high luminance of the reflection
surface. Also, when the detected luminance is higher than the
threshold value, the light quantity of the light source is reduced
to obtain a low luminance of the reflection surface. By detecting
the luminance of the reflection surface, a desired illumination
environment can be realized, irrespective of the state of the
reflection surface.
[0251] Further, in a case of installing the equipment such as the
image display device indoors, when the viewer views the picture
displayed in the screen of the equipment according to the material,
direction, or angle of the wall at the backside of the equipment,
or the distance between the equipment and the wall surface, the way
of looking (such as luminance and luminance distribution state) of
the wall surface at the backside of the equipment is different. In
the present invention, by detecting the luminance of the reflection
surface, a viewer's desired illumination environment can be
realized, even when the installation environment of the equipment
is changed.
[0252] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the illumination device 100 receives the reflected
light from the periphery of the equipment such as the image display
device, by the receiving part. The receiving part is, for example,
a sensor capable of detecting the light. Thus, the information
regarding the illumination environment such as the luminance,
luminance distribution or chromaticity, in the periphery of the
equipment can be acquired.
[0253] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, when the reflected light from the periphery of the
equipment (reflected light from the reflection surface) is received
by the receiving part, the direction of the incident light to the
light receiving part is regulated by a regulation part. For
example, the directivity of the light receiving part is regulated,
so that the incident angle incident on the light receiving part is
approximately 0 degree, namely, so as to receive only the light
incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving part
approximately vertically. As the regulation part, for example, a
member having a slit or a pinhole, or a polarized filter can be
used. Then, the light receiving part is provided, so that the
direction of the directivity of the light receiving part coincides
or is approximated with/to a direction in which the viewer views
equipment such as the image display device. Thus, out of the light
from the reflection surface (such as wall surface) at the backside
of the equipment such as the image display device, the light that
can be caught by the viewer's eye level can be detected when the
picture in the screen of the equipment such as the image display
device is viewed by the viewer, thus making it possible to
accurately acquire the luminance, chromaticity or the like of the
wall surface that can be recognized by the viewer's eye level.
[0254] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, a plurality of light receiving parts are disposed
separately from each other by a suitable length. Thus, the
information regarding the illumination environment such as the
luminance, luminance distribution, or chromaticity in different
areas of the periphery of the equipment (different areas on the
reflection surface) can be acquired.
[0255] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the reflected light from the periphery in the vicinity
of the peripheral part of the equipment such as the image display
device is detected. For example, when the illumination device is
installed at the backside (rear side) of the equipment such as the
image display device, the light receiving part is provided to a
position close to the edge of the right and left of the equipment
such as the image display device. Further, the light receiving part
can also be provided at a position close to approximately the
center of the upper side edge of the equipment such as the image
display device. When the viewer views the picture in the screen of
the equipment such as the image display device, the viewer catches
the light from the backside reflection surface (such as the wall
surface) not blocked by the equipment such as the image display
device. Therefore, by providing the light receiving part in the
vicinity of the edge of the equipment such as the image display
device, the reflected light that can be recognized by the viewer
can be accurately detected as much as possible.
[0256] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the light receiving part functions as a color sensor.
As the color sensor, for example, a photo sensor of R (red), G
(green), B (blue) can be used. The chromaticity detected by the
light receiving part and a predetermined value are compared, and
according to the comparison result, the chromaticity of the light
source is controlled. The predetermined value may be a previously
set value, or may be set according to a taste of the viewer. Thus,
even when the installation environment of the equipment such as the
image display device is changed, the illumination environment of
viewer's desired coloring can be realized.
[0257] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the acquisition part is an image acquisition part for
acquiring the image of the periphery of the equipment such as the
image display device, and from the acquired image, the information
regarding the illumination environment such as the luminance,
luminance distribution, and chromaticity is calculated. The image
acquisition part acquires the image of the periphery (for example,
the backside wall surface) including the equipment such as the
image display device. The illumination environment such as the
luminance, luminance distribution, and chromaticity is calculated,
based on the acquired image. Thus, when the viewer views the
picture in the screen of the equipment such as the image display
device, the luminance, luminance distribution, chromaticity and the
like of the entire reflection surface (such as the wall surface) in
the visual field of the viewer can be accurately detected.
[0258] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the image acquisition part is provided to a remote
control terminal (such as the remote controller). Thus, the viewer
can pick-up the image in a desired area (such as the backside wall
surface) of the periphery of the equipment such as the image
display device by using the image acquisition part provided to a
remote control terminal (such as the remote controller), so that
the illumination environment of the desired area can be an
environment according to the taste of the viewer. Moreover, the
illumination environment can be further accurately realized.
[0259] Further, according to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the equipment is the image display device. Thus, a
desired illumination environment can be realized, irrespective of
the state of the periphery of the image display device.
[0260] As described above, according to the aforementioned seventh
or eighth embodiment, by detecting the luminance of the reflection
surface, a viewer's desired illumination environment can be
realized, even when the installation environment of the image
display device is changed. Further, the illumination environment of
a viewer's desired chromaticity distribution can be realized. In
addition, out of the light from the reflection surface (such as
wall surface) at the backside of the image display device, the
light that can be caught by a viewer's eye level can be detected
when the picture in the screen of the image display device is
viewed by the viewer, thus making it possible to accurately acquire
the luminance, chromaticity or the like of the wall surface that
can be recognized by the viewer's eye level.
[0261] According to the aforementioned seventh or eighth
embodiment, the luminance or the chromaticity of the wall surface
is detected. Also, the light from the light source part is directly
received, and the luminance or the chromaticity is detected. In
addition, both of the luminance and the chromaticity can be
compared. Thus, difference in reflectance due to the shape and the
material of the wall surface can be detected, thus making it
possible to control a desired illumination environment further
accurately. Note that the luminance and the chromaticity can be
detected together.
Ninth Embodiment
[0262] FIG. 45 is an outer appearance perspective view of an
illumination unit 400 configuring the illumination device according
to a ninth embodiment. In the figure, 401 indicates a frame, being
an illumination part. The frame 401 is a housing part for housing
the light source, and for example, is a box made of aluminum with
one surface opened, wherein the light source (not shown) is housed
and a transparent or semi.sup.-transparent diffusion plate 403 made
of synthetic resin for properly diffusing the light emitted from
the light source, is provided on the opened one surface.
[0263] The light source is a plurality of LED modules (not shown)
which are linearly surface mounted on a rectangular substrate. The
LED modules are the surface mount type package LEDs on which LED
elements of three colors of red (R) LED element, blue (b) LED
element, and green (G) LED element are packaged. The light emission
intensity of each LED element of RGB can be controlled, and by
adjusting the light emission intensity (luminance) of the LED
element of each color, irradiation of multiple colors is achieved
by the LED. Thus, the periphery (such as a backside wall) of the
display device, being an example of an illumination target, can be
illuminated by a user's favorite color.
[0264] The illumination target here does not mean a target directly
illuminated by the illumination device including the illumination
unit 400 or a plurality of illumination units 400, but means a
target whose periphery is illuminated by the illumination unit 400
or the illumination device. Further, the illumination target is not
limited to the display device, and other equipment may also be
acceptable.
[0265] Further, each LED module is not a package LED including LED
elements of RGB, but is an LED chip of each color of RGB, and may
have a structure in which LED chips of each color of RGB are
arranged in the light source part. The light source is not limited
to the LED module, and other light source such as the fluorescent
lamp or the cold cathode tube may also be used. However, the LED
module has a high directivity, and therefore the wall of the
periphery of the display device can be efficiently irradiated, and
control in an irradiating direction is also easy. In a case of
using the light source with not so high directivity as that of the
fluorescent lamp emitting light in all directions, a reflection
member is preferably provided for reflecting the light emitted to
inside of the frame 401.
[0266] One end of an arm 402, being a support part, is fixed to
both end sides of the frame 401. The arm 402 is formed into a
rod-like body made of synthetic resin. An attachment hole 405 is
provided to the other end of the arm 402, which is an attachment
part for attaching the illumination unit 400 to a hooking member as
will be described later. In addition, the periphery of the
attachment hole 405 of the arm 402 has a thickness (width) of about
half, so that two arms 402 can be attached in such a manner as
being overlapped on each other.
[0267] A hinge 404, being a setting member for setting the
direction of the light source, is provided in a middle part of the
arm 402. By curving the hinge 404, the arm 402 can be bent, thus
making it possible to change the direction of the light source,
namely, the direction of a plate surface of the diffusion plate
403. Note that instead of providing the hinge 404, the arm 402 can
also be formed by being curved in the middle part of the arm 402.
Also, instead of the hinge 404, for example, a member for making
the frame 401 movable with an end portion of the arm 402 as a
fulcrum, can also be used. By setting the direction of the light
source, a desired range of the wall at the backside of the display
device can be brightened, irrespective of a dimension of the
display device and an attachment space from the wall of the display
device, even when the periphery of a wall-hooking type display
device is illuminated.
[0268] An electric power part 406 is provided in the frame 401,
with a constant current circuit incorporated therein, for
controlling current supplied to the LED module for turning-on the
LED module of the light source in a predetermined brightness and
coloring.
[0269] FIG. 46 is a front view showing an example of an attachment
structure of the illumination unit 400, FIG. 47 is a perspective
view showing an example of the attachment structure of the
illumination unit 400, and FIG. 48 is a side view showing an
example of the attachment structure of the illumination unit 400.
When a display device 420 is attached to a wall, the illumination
unit 400 is attached so as to be disposed between a rear surface of
the display device 420 and the wall surface. FIGS. 46 and 47 show
examples of a state of the rear surface of the display device 420
(having a display screen in a front side). Further, FIGS. 46 and 47
show examples of disposing four illumination units 400 in the
vicinity of upper/lower and right/left edge portions of the rear
surface of the display device 420. In FIGS. 46 and 47, the
illumination unit 400 is used, which is disposed in the vicinity of
the upper and lower side edge portions of the display device 420
with its light source having a longer length (length of frame 1)
than the illumination unit disposed in the vicinity of the right
and left edge portions. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto. In FIG. 48, the illumination unit 400 disposed in
the vicinity of the right and left edge portions of the display
device 420 respectively, is omitted.
[0270] The hooking member for attaching the display device 420 to
the wall has a device side wall hooking member 430 and a wall side
wall hooking member 440. The device side wall hooking member 430,
with its sectional face formed into approximately U-shape turned
sideways, is a plate having a suitable length. Note that the
sectional shape is not limited to the approximately U-shape turned
sideways. Attachment holes 431 are formed on both ends of the
device side wall hooking member 430, for attaching the device side
wall hooking member 430 to the rear surface of the display device
420 by screws (not shown). The dimension of each attachment hole
431 is set to the same dimension as the attachment hole 405 of the
arm 402 of the illumination unit 400. The device side wall hooking
members 430, 430 are attached to the rear surface of the display
device 420 separately from each other by a suitable length, by
screwing the screws through the attachment holes 431.
[0271] When the device side wall hooking member 430 is attached to
the display device 420, the illumination unit 400 can be attached
by fitting the attachment hole 405 of the illumination unit 400
into the attachment hole 431 of the device side wall hooking member
430 and fastening the screw (not shown). There is no necessity for
providing a new member for attaching the illumination unit 400.
Therefore, when the display device 420 is attached to the wall, or
even in a state that the display device 420 is already attached to
the wall, the illumination unit 400 can be easily attached.
[0272] The wall side hooking member 440 has lateral members 441,
441, having plate shapes and suitable lengths, and two vertical
members 442, 442 having plate shapes and suitable lengths, with the
lateral members 441, 441, and vertical members 442, 442 assembled
in a well-curb shape. Both edge portions along a longitudinal
direction of the lateral member 441 have a sectional face
approximately in L-shape, thereby forming a contact face in contact
with the wall surface. Attachment holes 4411 are formed at four
corners of the lateral member 441, for attaching the wall side wall
hooking member 440, and the wall side wall hooking member 440 can
be fixed to the wall by fastening the screws (not shown) through
the attachment holes 4411.
[0273] In order to attach the display device 420 and the
illumination unit 400 to the wall, first, the wall side wall
hooking member 440 is fixed to a predetermined position of the
wall. Then, the display device 420, with the device side wall
hooking member 430 and the illumination unit 400 attached thereto,
is approached to the wall side wall hooking member 440, to thereby
fix the device side wall hooking member 430 and the wall side wall
hooking member 440 by a fixing member (not shown).
[0274] The fixing member for fixing the device side wall hooking
member 430 to the wall side hooking member 440 may have any shape
or mode. For example, a rod-shaped fitting and an insertion hole
for inserting the rod-shaped fitting may also be used, or a
hook-shaped member and an locking hole or groove for locking the
hook-shaped member may also be used, or a clip with a sectional
face having a U-shaped clearance and a plate-like member engaging
with the clearance of the clip may also be used as the fixing
member.
[0275] As described above, the illumination unit 400 can also be
attached, when the device side wall hooking member 430 is attached
to the display device 420. Therefore, for example, a double stick
tape, etc, used for fixing an illumination tool to the body of the
display device is not needed, and therefore generation of dirt or
scratch of the display device body can be prevented. Further, the
frame 401, with the light source housed therein, is separated from
the rear surface of the display device 420, thus preventing the
light source of the illumination unit 400 from being brought into
contact with the rear surface of the display device 420. Therefore,
thermal interference of the display device 420 and the illumination
unit 400 can be prevented, thus improving heat radiation
efficiency.
[0276] Further, the wall surface of the periphery of the display
device 420 can be illuminated in a state that the illumination unit
400 is attached, and therefore an indirect illumination environment
for a wall hooking type display device can be provided to the
viewer. Further, by adjusting the hinge 404, the direction of the
diffusion plate 403 can be changed to a desired direction.
Therefore, when the periphery of the wall hooking type display
device is illuminated, a desired range of the wall surface at the
backside of the display device can be brightened, irrespective of
dimension of the display device and an installation space of the
display device from the wall surface.
[0277] FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing an example of the
structure of the illumination unit 400. In FIG. 49, four
illumination units 400 are provided. However, the number of the
illumination units 400 is not limited to four, and may be any one
of one to three. Moreover, it may be five or more. As shown in FIG.
49, each illumination unit 400 includes a constant current circuit
407 and an LED module 408, etc, and is connected to a control unit
411.
[0278] The control unit 411 is disposed, for example, on an upper
surface of the display device 420, including a light receiving part
412 and a light source control part 413, etc. The light receiving
part 412 receives an input signal transmitted from the remote
controller, according to an operation by the viewer. The input
signal includes, for example, an illumination on/off signal for
turning on/off the illumination of the illumination unit 400, and
an illumination control signal for controlling the luminance,
luminance distribution, chromaticity, and the like of the
illumination of the illumination unit 400.
[0279] The light source control part 413 includes a conversion
circuit (not shown) for converting AC voltage (AC 100V) to a
predetermined DC voltage, and a control circuit (not shown) for
controlling the constant current circuit 407 in each illumination
unit 400. When the illumination "on" signal is included in the
input signal, the light source control part 413 generates light
source control data according to the acquired illumination control
signal, and outputs the generated light source control data to the
constant current circuit 407. The light source control data
includes, for example, the duty ratio, etc, for modulating the
pulse width to decide a current value flown through the LED module
408 and the timing of flowing the current.
[0280] When the light source is the surface mount type package LED
on which the LED elements of three colors of red (R) LED element,
blue (B) LED element, and green (G) LED element are mounted, the
chromaticity can be controlled by controlling the luminance for
every LED element of each color of RGB.
[0281] Further, when the light source control part 413 has a
structure of attaching a plurality of illumination units 400
thereto, the light quantity of the light source of each
illumination unit 400 is set according to an attachment position of
each illumination unit 400. For example, when four illumination
units 400 of the same rating or size are attached in the vicinity
of the edge of four sides of the display device 420, the light
quantity is set so that the light quantity of the light source of
the illumination unit 400 disposed in the vicinity of an upper side
edge portion and a lower side edge portion of the display device
420, is greater than the light quantity of the light source of the
illumination unit 400 disposed in the vicinity of a right and left
edge portions. Thus, even when the brightness of the periphery of
the display device 420 is changed in the periphery of upper/lower
and right/left portions of the display device 420, there is no
necessity for attaching the illumination unit with different light
quantity or size, and therefore a common illumination unit can be
used.
[0282] FIG. 50 is a plan view showing an example of an adjustment
member 414 for adjusting an adjustment space of the illumination
unit 400. In a case of fixing the illumination unit 400 to the
device side wall hooking member 430, when an attachment interval
(attachment pitch) between the illumination unit 400 and the device
side wall hooking member 430 is different, the adjustment member
414 adjusts the difference of the attachment interval. The
adjustment member 414 has a plate shape with suitable length,
wherein a plurality of attachment holes 415 (415a, 415b, 415c,
415d) having the same dimension as that of the attachment holes 405
formed in the arm 402 of the illumination unit 400, are formed with
an interval dimension of suitable length.
[0283] For example, when the attachment interval of the device side
wall hooking members 430 coincides with the interval of the
attachment holes 415a, as shown in FIG. 50, the illumination unit
400 is attached by using the attachment hole 415c, and the
adjustment member 414, with the illumination unit 400 attached
thereto, is attached to the device side wall hooking member 430 by
using the attachment hole 415a. Even when the illumination unit 400
cannot be directly attached to the device side wall hooking member
430, the illumination unit 400 can be indirectly attached to the
device side wall hooking member 430. Thus, owing to different
rating or dimension of the illumination unit 400, the illumination
unit 400 can be attached by using a common wall hooking member (the
device side wall hooking member 430 and the wall side wall hooking
member 440) even when the attachment interval between the
illumination unit 400 and the device side wall hooking member 430
is different.
[0284] Similarly, even when the attachment dimension of the wall
hooking member is different for every display device due to the
difference in size of the display device, the illumination unit 400
can be attached by using the adjustment member 414.
[0285] FIG. 51 is a schematic view showing an example of disposing
the light source of the illumination unit 400. An example of FIG.
51A shows a state of disposing the frame 401 (illumination part)
only in the vicinity of the upper side edge portion at the backside
of the display device 420. In this case, one illumination unit 400
is used. Also, an example of FIG. 51B shows a state of disposing
the frame 401 in the vicinity of the upper side edge portion and
the lower side edge portion at the backside of the display device
420. In this case, two illumination units 400 are used. Also, an
example of FIG. 51C shows a state of disposing the frame 401 in the
vicinity of the right side edge portion and the left side edge
portion at the backside of the display device 420. In this case,
two illumination units 400 are used. Further, an example of FIG.
51D shows a state of disposing the frame 401 in the vicinity of the
upper side edge portion and in the vicinity of the right side edge
portion and in the vicinity of the left side edge portion at the
backside of the display device 420. In this case, three
illumination units 400 are used.
[0286] As described above, by disposing the illumination unit 400
in the vicinity of any one of the upper side edge portion, lower
side edge portion, left side edge portion, and right side edge
portion, or in combination of them or all of them at the backside
of the display device 420, the way of looking at the wall surface
at the backside of the display device 420 can be changed when the
viewer views the picture displayed in the screen of the display
device 420, according to a wall hooking position of the display
device 420, thus making it possible to realize a viewer's favorite
illumination environment.
[0287] In the example shown in FIG. 48, when the illumination unit
400 is attached to the device side wall hooking member 430, the arm
402 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the display device
420 and the device side wall hooking member 430. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto.
[0288] FIG. 52 is a side view showing other example of the
attachment structure of the illumination unit 400. As shown in FIG.
52A when the arm 402 of the illumination unit 400 is attached to
the device side wall hooking member 450, the arm 402 can be
disposed so as to be sandwiched between the device side wall
hooking member 450 and the wall side wall hooking member 460. Thus,
the light source of the illumination unit 400 can be further
separated from the rear surface of the display device 420, thus
further improving the heat radiation efficiency. Note that the arm
402 may be disposed between the wall side wall hooking member 460
and the wall. In this case, the shape of the arm 402 is suitably
changed so that the direction of the light source illuminates a
predetermined range of the wall.
[0289] Further, as shown in FIG. 52B when the arm 402 of the
illumination unit 400 is attached to the device side wall hooking
member 451, the arm 402 can be disposed in contact with only the
device side wall hooking member 451. Thus, when the illumination
unit 400 is attached after the display device 420 is mounted on the
wall, the illumination unit 400 can be attached in a state of
mounting the display device 420 on the wall, without detaching the
device side wall hooking member 451 from the wall side wall hooking
member 461. In this case, as a matter of course, a method of
attaching the illumination unit 400 to the device side wall hooking
member 451 is easy by accessing the space between the display
device 420 and the wall.
[0290] Further, in the example of FIG. 48, a spacer may be provided
between the arm 402 and the display device 420. Thus, the light
source can be further separated from the rear surface of the
display device 420, and the thermal interference between the
illumination unit 400 and the display device 420 can be further
prevented.
[0291] FIG. 53 is a front view showing the structure of the device
side wall hooking member 470 including the illumination unit 400.
In the example of FIG. 53, the illumination unit 400 and the device
side wall hooking member 470 are integrally formed. As shown in
FIG. 53, the device side wall hooking member 470 is a frame with a
rectangular shape, with the arm 402 of the illumination unit 400
fixed to four corners. Note that the number of the illumination
units 400 is not limited to four. Further, the reference numerals
are assigned to the same parts as those of the aforementioned
example, and the description thereof is omitted. Thus, the
illumination unit can also be attached when the display device 420
is mounted on the wall by using the wall hooking member, thus
making it possible to eliminate the double stick tape for directly
attaching the illumination unit to the display device, and the
generation of the dirt or scratch, etc, of the display device body
can be prevented, and also an adverse influence by heat generation
from both the illumination unit and the display device can be
prevented.
[0292] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination unit
includes a frame, being the illumination part in which the light
source is housed, a support part for supporting the frame
(illumination part), and an attachment part for attaching the
support part to a suitable mount member. The wall hooking member
can be used as the mount member, which is used for mounting the
display device, being an example of the illumination target, to the
wall. When the display device is mounted on the wall through the
wall hooking member (mount member), the attachment part is attached
to the wall hooking member. The attachment part may be, for
example, a screw hole or may be a screw provided to the support
part. Thus, when the display device is mounted on the wall by using
the wall hooking member, the illumination unit can be fixed to the
wall hooking member, thus eliminating the double stick tape, etc,
for directly attaching the illumination unit to the display device,
and therefore the dirt or scratch of the display device body can be
prevented and also the adverse influence by the heat generation
from both the illumination unit and the display device can be
prevented.
[0293] According to the ninth embodiment, the support part is
formed into a rod-shape, with the illumination part supported to
one end side, and the attachment part provided to the other end
side, and the attachment part is attached to the wall hooking
member (mount member) on which the display device, being the
illumination target, is mounted. No new member is needed for
attaching the illumination unit, and therefore when the display
device is mounted on the wall, or even in a state in which the
display device is already mounted on the wall, the illumination
unit can be easily attached.
[0294] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination part is
separated from the illumination target (such as the rear surface of
the display device), in a state that the support part is attached
to the wall hooking member (mount member). Thus, the light source
of the illumination unit is not brought into contact with the rear
surface of the display device, and therefore the thermal
interference between the display device and the illumination unit
can be prevented, thus improving the heat radiation efficiency.
[0295] According to the ninth embodiment, a middle part of the
support part is curved. Thus, the illumination part can be
separated from the illumination target (such as the rear surface of
the display device), in a state of attaching the support part to
the wall hooking member (mount member).
[0296] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination unit
includes the adjustment member in the middle part of the support
part for setting the direction of the light source. The setting
member is, for example, a hinge, and by bending the hinge of the
support member, the direction of the light source can be set. Note
that the setting member is not limited to the hinge, and for
example, a member for making the illumination part movable with an
end portion of the support part as a fulcrum, can also be used.
Thus, even when the periphery of the wall hooking type display
device is illuminated, a desired range of the wall at the backside
of the display device can be brightened, irrespective of the
dimension of the display device and the attachment space of the
display device from the wall.
[0297] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination unit
illuminates the wall of the periphery of the display device
(illumination target), in a state of attaching the support part to
the wall hooking member (mount member). Thus, the indirect
illumination environment for the wall hooking type display device
can be provided to the viewer.
[0298] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination unit has
a plurality of support parts fixed to the illumination part
separately from each other by suitable length, and includes the
adjustment member for adjusting the attachment interval between the
attachment parts of each support part. Thus, owing to different
rating or dimension of the illumination unit, the illumination unit
can be attached by using the common wall hooking member, even when
the attachment interval of the support parts is different.
[0299] According to the ninth embodiment, the attachment part
corresponds to an attachment hole formed in the support part, and
the adjust member corresponds to a plate provided with a plurality
of holes with approximately the same dimension as the dimension of
the attachment holes separately by suitable length. The support
part is fixed to the adjustment member by fitting the attachment
hole of the support part into the adjustment member. Thus, owing to
different rating or dimension of the illumination unit, the
illumination unit can be attached by using the common wall hooking
member, even when the attachment interval of the support parts is
different.
[0300] According to the ninth embodiment, the illumination unit
includes the frame, being the illumination part with the light
source housed therein; the support part for supporting the
illumination part (frame); and the wall hooking member attached to
the support part for mounting the illumination target (for example,
the equipment such as the display device) on the wall. Thus, the
illumination unit and the wall hooking member can be formed
integrally, and the illumination unit can be attached when the
display device is mounted on the wall by using the wall hooking
member; the double stick tape, etc, is eliminated for directly
attaching the illumination unit to the display device; generation
of dirt or scratch of the display device body can be prevented; and
the adverse influence by the heat generation from both the
illumination unit and display device can be prevented.
[0301] According to the ninth embodiment, a plurality of
illumination units are attached, and a light quantity setting means
is provided for setting the light quantity of the light source of
each illumination unit according to the attachment position of each
illumination unit. For example, when four identical illumination
units are attached in the vicinity of four sides of the display
device, the light quantity is set so that the light quantity of the
light source of the illumination unit disposed in the vicinity of
the upper side edge portion and the lower side edge portion of the
display device is greater than the light quantity of the light
source of the illumination unit disposed in the vicinity of the
right and left edge portions. Thus, even when the brightness of the
periphery of the display device is changed in the upper/lower and
right/left peripheries of the display device, there is no necessity
for attaching the illumination unit with different light quantity
or size, and the common illumination unit can be used.
[0302] As described above, according to the ninth embodiment, the
illumination unit can be fixed to the wall hooking member when the
display device is mounted on the wall by using the wall hooking
member, thus eliminating the double stick tape, etc, for directly
attaching the illumination unit to the display device, and the
generation of dirt or scratch of the display device body can be
prevented, and also the adverse influence by the heat generation
from both the illumination unit and the display device can be
prevented. Further, the illumination unit can be attached, by using
a conventionally used wall hooking member as it is, and therefore,
the illumination unit can be attached to any kind of display
device, provided that it is the wall hooking type display
device.
[0303] According to the ninth embodiment, the arm is curved in the
middle part. However, the present invention is not limited thereto,
and a linear arm without curve may also be used. In this case, for
example by disposing a substrate surface housed in the frame so as
to be inclined to a bottom part of the frame, or disposing the
diffusion plate so as to be inclined, similar effects as the
effects obtained by curving the arm can be obtained by inclination
of the direction of the light from the LED module with respect to
the direction of the arm.
[0304] According to the ninth embodiment, two arms are fixed to the
frame in the illumination unit. However, the present invention is
not limited thereto, and one arm may be fixed to the center of the
frame. Further, the frame is not limited to a linear shape, and may
be a curved shape. In addition, one illumination unit can be formed
by connecting tip end parts of the arms of a plurality of
illumination units.
[0305] According to the ninth embodiment, the wall side wall
hooking member includes two members such as a lateral member and a
vertical member each, assembled in a well-curb shape. However, the
present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the wall
side wall hooking member can be formed by one wide plate-shaped
lateral member and two vertical members.
[0306] The ninth embodiment shows an example of disposing the
illumination unit and the light source, and the present invention
is not limited thereto, and any structure may be acceptable
provided that the light source of the illumination unit is
separated from the rear surface of the display device, and can be
disposed outside the wall hooking member.
[0307] According to the ninth embodiment, the adjustment member
provided with a plurality of attachment holes is used for adjusting
the attachment interval of the arms of the illumination units.
However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for
example, a rail-like member is provided on the bottom surface of
the frame, so that the tip end part of the arm can slide over the
rail-like member, and a lock mechanism for fixture at a
predetermined position may also be provided.
[0308] As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit of essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such
metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by
the claims.
* * * * *